Information processing apparatus and related method, image forming apparatus and related control method, program, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus displays a screen for enabling an operator to select settings for controlling a print output from an image forming apparatus and post-processing applied to a printed product by an independent post-processing apparatus. The post-processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain post-processing information from the post-processing apparatus and a display control unit configured to change contents of the setting screen based on obtained function information and display a changed setting screen. The image forming apparatus includes a determining unit configured to determine based on obtained function information whether the image forming apparatus can execute a print output accompanied by post-processing using the post-processing apparatus, and control a display unit to display a setting screen for controlling the post-processing function when the image forming apparatus can execute the print output accompanied by post-processing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display technique for a settingscreen of an information processing apparatus that enables an operatorto execute settings for a post-processing apparatus that executespost-processing applied to printed products, and further relates to animage forming apparatus that executes print processing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electro-photographic image forming apparatuses and inkjet printingapparatuses can provide high speed and high quality outputs. A newbusiness model “Print On Demand (referred to as POD)” can handle a largescale of print products and print jobs.

POD includes print processing and related post-processing performedaccording to user's needs, for example, in an office environmentincluding an image forming apparatus and various post-processingapparatuses, such as a bookbinding apparatus and a sheet cutting machine(hereinafter referred to as “finishers”), connected to the image formingapparatus.

In the print processing for POD, a device driver (hereinafter referredto as a “printer driver”) of an image forming apparatus canautomatically produce a print job including print attributes relating topost-processing applied to printed products, based on restrictioninformation (i.e., information restricting finisher's functions). Asdiscussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-078449,various items can be set as functions of a bookbinding machine, such as:

(a) Whether the bookbinding machine should pick up printed productsbeing stacked from an uppermost position or from a lowermost position;and

(b) Whether the bookbinding machine should execute post-processing forprinted products set in a face-up condition or for printed products setin a face-down condition.

The printer driver can automatically set an output order (e.g.,ascending order/descending order) of the pages and an output direction(e.g., face-up/face-down) of the pages based on functions of thebookbinding machine, so that the bookbinding processing can be correctlyperformed for the printed products set in the bookbinding machine. Inthis case, a print job produced by the printer driver reflects specificinformation specifying finisher functions. Thus, the user needs notconfirm the functions relating to the finisher (e.g., theabove-described two functions).

Furthermore, in the production of a print job for POD, the type of afinisher connected to the image forming apparatus can be manually set orcan be automatically identified. Thus, a user interface (UI) screen of ahost computer displaying items relating to the functions can becontrolled (or changed) based on the type of an identified finisher andthe information specifying the functions of this finisher. A user canperform (i.e., input or select) necessary settings of various functionsthrough the UI screen according to user's individual needs (e.g.,cutting method, binding method, stapling or bookbinding designation,etc.). In response to a user's input on the UI screen, the printerdriver can produce a print job including control commands for outputtingfinal printed products. The produced print job is output to the imageforming apparatus and to the finisher connected to the image formingapparatus.

For example, when a finisher having a stapling function is connected tothe image forming apparatus, the printer driver can enable a user toexecute stapling settings by providing a stapling setting field as oneof function items displayed on the UI screen. In this case, the displaycontents of the UI screen are controlled by the printer driver based onthe information specifying the functions of the finisher. The user needsnot confirm the function relating to the finisher (e.g., the functionrelating to stapling setting).

Furthermore, when a finisher not connected via a physical conveyancepath to the image forming apparatus is used to process printed products,the operator must confirm finisher functions beforehand and set theoutput of the image forming apparatus so as to conform to the finisherfunctions.

For example, a middle stitch bookbinding machine can be used to producefinal printed products. In this case, the operator must execute thesettings for arranging two pages of image on a recording medium (e.g., arecording paper sheet) having a size two times the page size of finalprinted products.

However, when the image forming apparatus is connected to a specificfinisher (e.g., a bookbinding machine) whose information is notincorporated in the printer driver, an operator of the image formingapparatus must perform various print settings considering the functionsof the newly connected finisher. If there is any restriction(s) relatingto added finisher function(s) influencing the item(s) relating to otherfunction(s) of the printer driver, the operator must perform necessarysettings considering the effects of the restriction(s). In such a case,it will be difficult for an operator to accurately determine varioussettings necessary for the post-processing.

If it is known that a specific bookbinding machine is later connected tothe image forming apparatus, the printer driver can be programmedbeforehand to control the display of a UI screen or print attributesbased on specific information specifying finisher functions. However,after the configuration (and contents) of the printer driver is fixed,the printer driver cannot recognize any function(s) of a newly connectedfinisher, e.g., a sheet cutting machine, a collating machine, or anyother finisher other than the bookbinding machine. Thus, the printerdriver cannot control the print attributes requiring the use of a newlyadded and connected finisher (e.g., a sheet cutting machine or acollating machine), unless the printer driver can be appropriatelyupdated considering the use of the newly connected finisher.

Furthermore, when a printer driver UI screen can display function itemsbased on the specific information specifying finisher functions, theprinter driver cannot recognize functions of a newly added and connectedfinisher and accordingly cannot control (or change) the display of thefunction items on the UI screen. Thus, the operator must confirm therestrictions relating to the function(s) of the finisher and mustaccurately determine various settings necessary for the post-processingcontents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a technique that enables anoperator of a host computer to easily perform the settings necessary fora finisher even when the finisher is not directly connected to an imageforming apparatus. Furthermore, the present invention is directed toimage formation preferably used when profile settings of a finisher aretransmitted to a host computer when the finisher is not directlyconnected to an image forming apparatus.

According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aninformation processing apparatus is provided which is configured todisplay a setting screen for enabling an operator to select settings forcontrolling a print output from an image forming apparatus andpost-processing applied to a printed product by a post-processingapparatus independent of the image forming apparatus. The informationprocessing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtainfunction information including display information indicating apost-processing function of the post-processing apparatus; and a displaycontrol unit configured to change display contents of the setting screenbased on the display information included in the function information,and display a changed setting screen.

According to an aspect of the aforementioned embodiment, the informationprocessing apparatus may further include a comparing unit configured tocompare the function information with setting information relating to apost-processing function of another post-processing apparatus, whereinthe display control unit changes the setting screen based on acomparison result by the comparing unit and displays the changed settingscreen. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the displaycontrol unit changes the setting screen based on the functioninformation, when the function information disagrees with the settinginformation, and controls the display unit to display the changedsetting screen.

According to another aspect of the aforementioned embodiment, theinformation processing apparatus may further include a producing unitconfigured to produce first job control information for controlling theimage forming apparatus and second job control information forcontrolling the post-processing apparatus, based on the settings of thedisplay controlled setting screen. While, according to another aspect ofthe aforementioned embodiment, the information processing apparatus mayinclude an output unit configured to output the first job controlinformation to the image forming apparatus via a network and output thesecond job control information to the post-processing apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the displaycontrol unit controls a display unit to display a selection screenenabling the operator to select one of a plurality of post-processingapparatuses connected via a network, when the plurality ofpost-processing apparatuses have the same function information. Andfurthermore, in another aspect of the instant embodiment, the displaycontrol unit determines whether there space for displaying the contentsof the display information on the setting screen, based on the displayinformation included in the function information; displays the contentsof display information on the setting screen when there is the space;and adds a new screen on the setting screen and displays the contents ofthe display information on the new screen.

According to another aspect of the aforementioned embodiment,fundamental display information for displaying the setting screen andthe function information are described in a hierarchical configurationclassified into setting items of the setting screen, and, when thefunction information includes new information not existing in thefundamental display information, in the same hierarchical configurationof the fundamental display information and the function information, thedisplay control unit displays the setting screen incorporating the newinformation at a corresponding hierarchical position within thefundamental display information.

Furthermore, still yet in another aspect of the present embodiment, theinformation processing apparatus may further include a functiondetermining unit configured to determine whether an additional functionincluded in the function information is identical with any existingfunction on the setting screen; and a post-processing apparatus decidingunit configured to decide, when the function determining unit determinesthat there is any overlap of functions, whether to utilize apost-processing apparatus providing the existing function and apost-processing apparatus providing the additional function.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an imageforming apparatus is provided which is configured to communicate with apost-processing apparatus connected via a network, wherein the imageforming apparatus includes an image forming unit for producing a printoutput. The image forming apparatus includes an obtaining unitconfigured to obtain function information indicating a post-processingfunction of the post-processing apparatus; a determining unit configuredto determine, based on the function information, whether the imageforming unit can execute a print output accompanied by post-processingusing the post-processing apparatus; and a display control unitconfigured to a control a display unit to display a setting screenenabling an operator to perform an input operation for controlling thepost-processing function to use the post-processing apparatus, when thedetermining unit determines that the image forming unit can execute theprint output accompanied by post-processing using the post-processingapparatus.

According to an aspect of the aforementioned embodiment, the obtainingunit further obtains capability information of the post-processingapparatus corresponding to the post-processing function and controlcommand information for controlling the post-processing apparatus, fromthe function information of the post-processing apparatus. According toanother aspect of the embodiment, the display control unit adds orchanges a display of the setting screen to obtain the print outputaccompanied by the post-processing using the post-processing apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of the aforementioned embodiment, theimage forming apparatus may further include a registering unitconfigured to register, when the determining unit determines that theimage forming unit can execute the print output accompanied by thepost-processing using the post-processing apparatus, informationrelating to the post-processing apparatus including the function of thepost-processing apparatus, capability information corresponding to thefunction, and control command information for controlling thepost-processing apparatus.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the aforementionedembodiment, the image forming apparatus may further include an analyzingunit configured to analyze whether an input print job designatespost-processing of the print output; and a selecting unit configured toselect a post-processing apparatus that can execute the designatedpost-processing, based on function information registered by theregistering unit, according to analysis of the analyzing unit, whereinthe display control unit controls the display unit to display thesetting screen enabling the operator to perform an input operation forcontrolling the print output to use the selected post-processingapparatus, based on capability information registered by the registeringunit.

Moreover, according to another aspect of the aforementioned embodiment,the image forming apparatus may further include an output unitconfigured to transmit a control command registered by the registeringunit to the selected post-processing apparatus that executes thepost-processing for the print output based on an operator's inputthrough the setting screen.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an informationprocessing method is provided for an information processing apparatusthat displays a setting screen for enabling an operator to selectsettings for controlling a print output from an image forming apparatusand post-processing applied to a printed product by a post-processingapparatus independent of the image forming apparatus. The methodincludes obtaining function information including display informationindicating a post-processing function of the post-processing apparatus;and changing display contents of the setting screen based on the displayinformation included in the obtained function information, anddisplaying a changed setting screen.

Additionally, according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention, an information processing method is provided for an imageforming apparatus that communicates with a post-processing apparatusconnected via a network and includes an image forming unit for producinga print output. The method includes obtaining function informationindicating a post-processing function; determining, based on thefunction information, whether the image forming unit can execute a printoutput accompanied by post-processing using the post-processingapparatus; and controlling a display unit to display a setting screenenabling an operator to perform an input operation for controlling thepost-processing function to use the post-processing apparatus, when itis determined that the image forming unit can execute the print outputaccompanied by post-processing using the post-processing apparatus.

Moreover, according to another embodiment of the present invention, acontrol program is provide which is stored on a computer-readablerecording medium containing instructions executable by an informationprocessing apparatus that displays a setting screen for enabling anoperator to perform settings for controlling a print output of an imageforming apparatus and post-processing applied to a printed product of apost-processing apparatus independent of the image forming apparatus.The control program includes instructions to obtain functioninformation, including display information indicating a post-processingfunction of the post-processing apparatus; and instructions to changedisplay contents of the setting screen based on the display informationincluded in the function information, and display a changed settingscreen.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a controlprogram is provided which may be stored on a computer-readable recordingmedium containing instructions executable by an image forming apparatusthat communicates with a post-processing apparatus connected via anetwork and includes an image forming unit for producing a print output.The control program includes instructions to obtain function informationindicating a post-processing function of the post-processing apparatus;instructions to determine, based on the function information, whetherthe image forming unit can execute a print output accompanied bypost-processing using the post-processing apparatus; and instructions tocontrol a display unit to display a setting screen enabling an operatorto perform an input operation for controlling the post-processingfunction to use the post-processing apparatus, when it is determinedthat the image forming unit can execute the print output accompanied bypost-processing using the post-processing apparatus.

Further, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention,an information processing apparatus is provided that displays a settingscreen for enabling an operator to perform settings for controlling aprint output of an image forming apparatus and post-processing appliedto a printed product of a post-processing apparatus independent of theimage forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus includesan obtaining unit configured to obtain function information, includingdisplay information indicating a post-processing function of thepost-processing apparatus; and a display control unit configured tochange display contents of the setting screen based on the displayinformation included in the function information, and display a changedsetting screen.

And finally, according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention, an image forming apparatus is provided which is adapted tocommunicates with a post-processing apparatus connected via a network,the image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configuredto produce a print output. The image forming apparatus includes anobtaining unit configured to obtain function information indicating apost-processing function of the post-processing apparatus; a determiningunit configured to determine, based on the function information, whetherthe image forming unit can execute a print output accompanied bypost-processing using the post-processing apparatus; and a displaycontrol unit configured to control a display unit to display a settingscreen enabling an operator to perform an input operation forcontrolling the post-processing function to use the post-processingapparatus, when the determining unit determines that the image formingunit can execute the print output accompanied by post-processing usingthe post-processing apparatus.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the numerousexemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of an imageforming system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an exemplary printer driver UI screen ofhost computers 1 and 2.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an exemplary operation screen (UI)displayed when a user selects a property key.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary operation screen (UI)displayed when the user selects the property key.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary software configuration ofthe host computer including a printer driver.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing an exemplary procedure pertaining touser's settings with respect to print attributes.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing an exemplary procedure starting with auser's print instruction and ending with a printing operation.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of animage forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary internal arrangementof a controller of a near-line finisher.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aperfect bookbinding machine.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of asheet cutting machine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow in anear-line finisher.

FIG. 13 shows exemplary contents of a finisher profile of a bookbindingmachine.

FIG. 14 shows exemplary contents of a finisher profile of a sheetcutting machine.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary processing sectionrelating to a finisher profile in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 16 shows exemplary contents of a finisher connection managementtable.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart describing an exemplary procedure for connectinga finisher to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow forregistering a near-line finisher connected to the image formingapparatus.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flowresponding to a profile acquiring request.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart describing an exemplary print processing flow inthe image forming apparatus.

FIG. 21 illustrates an initial condition of an exemplary operation panelof the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating an exemplary operation panel displayedwhen an option setting button is depressed.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary view illustrating a finisher connectionregistration screen.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of aprinter driver that obtains a finisher profile from the image formingapparatus.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of thehost computer that produces a print job.

FIG. 26 shows exemplary contents of a finisher connection managementtable.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of thefinisher.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the arrangement of an imageforming system.

FIG. 29 shows exemplary contents of a profile of a perfect bookbindingmachine stored in a finisher profile storing region.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary finishing sheet of a userinterface of the printer driver in the condition that the printer driverhas not yet obtained a finisher profile of the perfect bookbindingmachine.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the finishing sheet of the userinterface.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary detailed bookbindingdialog for setting details of the bookbinding.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary detailed bookbindingdialog for setting details of the bookbinding, displayed when theperfect binding bookbinding is selected on the user interface of FIG. 31and a bookbinding details setting button is depressed by an operator.

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement ofan image forming system in accordance with a second exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 35 shows exemplary contents of a profile of a three-side sheetcutting machine stored in the finisher profile storing region.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary finishing sheet displayedwhen a middle stitch is selected on the finishing sheet of FIG. 30.

FIG. 37 is diagram illustrating an exemplary user interface used fordetailed settings with respect to a sheet cutting method and a cuttingwidth.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary user interface used fordetailed settings with respect to the sheet cutting method and thecutting width.

FIG. 39A is a flowchart schematically describing an exemplary displaycontrol flow of the user interface executed by the printer driver.

FIG. 39B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary user interface used toselect a near-line finisher.

FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of an imageforming system in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of an imageforming apparatus in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation input sectionof the image forming apparatus in accordance with the third exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating exemplary details of a key inputsection.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating exemplary details of a touch panelsection.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of anear-line finisher.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary initial screen of anoperation input section in the image forming apparatus according to thethird exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary screen displayed in theoperation input section of the image forming apparatus, when a near-linefinisher is connected to the network.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary finisher setting screencontrolled by a job control section when a finisher setting button shownin FIG. 47 is depressed.

FIG. 49 shows exemplary contents of a finisher profile describing theinformation relating to near-line finisher functions.

FIG. 50 shows exemplary contents of a finisher connection managementtable.

FIG. 51 illustrates an exemplary finisher capability management table.

FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram illustrating the saddle stitchingperformed as an example of the post-processing.

FIG. 53A illustrates an exemplary left-bound page layout.

FIG. 53B illustrates an exemplary right-bound page layout.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of thenear-line finisher and the image forming apparatus, performed when thenear-line finisher is connected to the image forming system.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of thejob control section that controls the display of the operation inputsection of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of theimage forming apparatus, performed when an added finisher setting buttonis depressed.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart describing an exemplary print processing flow ofthe image forming apparatus.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart describing an exemplary finisher processing flowof the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary finisher profile flow forchanging the driver UI in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary driver UI displayed whenthe finisher is not connected.

FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hierarchicalconfiguration of a driver UI to which no finisher is connected.

FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hierarchicalconfiguration of the profile of a bookbinding machine.

FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of theprofile of a bookbinding machine, describing the information relating toanother UI.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart describing an exemplary driver UI updatingprocessing procedure.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart describing an exemplary driver UI updatingprocessing procedure, performed when there is a space available for anew UI without addition of unexpected function(s).

FIG. 66 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hierarchicalconfiguration of the driver UI after adding a finisher.

FIG. 67 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary driver UI displayed afteradding a finisher.

FIG. 68 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary UI independent ofthe driver UI.

FIG. 69 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary driver UI displayed whena finisher is added in a condition that the driver has no spaceavailable for a new UI.

FIG. 70 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hierarchicalconfiguration of the driver UI displayed when a finisher is added in acondition that the driver has no space available for a new UI.

FIG. 71 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary profile configuration ofa finisher having a function not expected by the host.

FIG. 72 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hierarchicalconfiguration of the driver UI displayed when an added finisher has anunexpected function.

FIG. 73 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary driver UI displayed whenthe added finisher has an unexpected function.

FIG. 74 is a flowchart describing an exemplary driver UI updatingprocessing procedure in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodimentperformed when plural finishers have functions overlapped with eachother.

FIG. 75 is a diagram illustrating a driver UI in accordance with thefifth exemplary embodiment displayed when plural finishers havefunctions overlapped with each other.

FIG. 76 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aclient PC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the numerous exemplary embodiments ismerely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit theinvention, its application, or uses.

Note that similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar itemsin the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in onefigure, it may not be discussed for following figures. Exemplaryembodiments will be described in detail below with reference to thedrawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

[Exemplary System Arrangement]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of an image formingsystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1,plural information processing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as a“host computer”) 1 and 2 and plural image forming apparatuses 10 and 20,such as MFP (multi function peripheral), are connected to a network 100.

In this arrangement, for example, the image forming apparatuses 10 and20 can receive print jobs from the host computers 1 and 2 via thenetwork 100 and can process the received print jobs. Finishers 11 and12, respectively connected via physical conveyance paths to the imageforming apparatuses 10 and 20, can perform post-processing for printedproducts produced by the image forming apparatuses 10 and 20. The imageforming apparatuses 10 and 20 can set the post-processing for thefinishers 11 and 12. In this respect, the finishers 11 and 12 arereferred to as “in-line finishers.”

On the other hand, when other devices (e.g., devices other than theimage forming apparatuses connected via physical conveyance paths) canset the post-processing for the finishers via the network, the finishersare referred to as “near-line finishers.” Furthermore, when finisherscan set the contents of the post-processing, the finishers are referredto as “off-line finishers.” In particular, the near-line finishers andthe off-line finishers are different in that the near-line finishers cancommunicate with other apparatuses. The off-line finishers cannotcommunicate with other apparatuses.

The control methods of the in-line finishers, the off-line finishers,and the near-line finishers will be described below. The in-linefinishers themselves have no capability of directly communicating withthe host computers. For example, the in-line finishers are connectedwith the image forming apparatuses via the common paper conveyance pathsand receive printed products conveyed from the image formingapparatuses. The image forming apparatuses can set the contents ofprocessing performed in the finishers. The image forming apparatuses canproduce post-processing setting information as the processing contents.

Furthermore, printer drivers operable on the information processingapparatuses can be used to set the in-line finishers as optionalconfiguration of the image forming apparatuses and can produce printjobs designating processing contents (e.g., bookbinding processing) inthe in-line finishers.

Next, the off-line finishers have no device configured to communicatewith external apparatuses (off-line condition). The off-line finisherscan set the contents of processing performed in the finishers. Forexample, a user can set processing contents through an operating sectionof the off-line finisher. Alternatively, the off-line finisher can readthe print information printed on an object paper sheet, such as a barcode, and can automatically set the post-processing contents.

Finally, the near-line finishers are equipped with a device configuredto communicate with external apparatuses. Thus, not only a user can setthe processing contents through an operating section of the near-linefinisher but also another device, e.g., a host computer, can set theprocessing contents (i.e., transmit a job ticket) via the network.

Next, the printed product conveyance paths (i.e., paper paths) of thein-line finishers, the off-line finishers, and the near-line finisherswill be described below. The following is a description of generalfeatures which does not go beyond the purpose of facilitating theunderstanding, and accordingly should not be used to narrowly interpretthe features of these finishers. The in-line finishers are physicallyconnected with the image forming apparatuses and thus can directlyreceive printed paper sheets produced from the image forming apparatusesvia conveyance paths (paper paths). The off-line finishers are notphysically connected with the image forming apparatuses. Accordingly,the printed paper sheets produced from the image forming apparatuses areonce buffered on carriages, trays, or belt conveyors and are set, atlater timing, on input sections of the off-line finishers.

The near-line finishers are similar to the off-line finishers in thatthe printed paper sheets are once buffered and set, at later timing, onthe input sections. However, as described above, the near-line finisherscan receive the processing contents (i.e., the job ticket) via thecommunication device. Furthermore, the in-line finishers can include acommunicating section configured to communicate with external devices(e.g., host computers), so that a post-processing instruction (i.e., ajob ticket) can be received via the communicating section. In otherwords, the in-line finishers can function as near-line finishers.

In FIG. 1, the finishers 11 and 12 are constituted as in-line finishers.Furthermore, a near-line finisher 21 (e.g., a casing-in bookbindingmachine) and a near-line finisher 22 (e.g., a sheet cutting machine) areconnected to the network 100.

It is noted that the present invention is not intended to be limited tothe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, plural near-linefinishers each having a casing-in bookbinding function and pluralnear-line finishers each having a sheet cutting function can beconnected to the network 100. In this case, the settings of thenear-line finisher can be easily performed based on later-describedrestriction information (i.e., the information restricting the functionsof the finisher).

Furthermore, a finisher system 200 can be connected to the network 100so as to constitute an image forming system. The finisher system 200shown in FIG. 1 includes a system server 3, a middle stitch bookbindingmachine 31, and a paper folding machine 32 which are mutually connectedvia a network or a dedicated line (hereinafter, simply referred to as a“network”) 210. The system server 3 is connected to the network 100. Forexample, system server 3 can receive the information relating to thepost-processing transmitted from the host computers 1 and 2, and cancontrol the post-processing performed in the middle stitch bookbindingmachine 31 and the paper folding machine 32.

Furthermore, the host computers 1 and 2 can obtain restrictioninformation that restricts the functions of the middle stitchbookbinding machine 31 and the paper folding machine 32 included in thefinisher system 200. The host computers 1 and 2 can control the displayof a user interface based on the obtained restriction information, andcan easily perform the settings of the near-line finishers.

[Exemplary Hardware Arrangement of Client PC]

FIG. 76 shows an exemplary hardware arrangement of a client PC (i.e., PC1 or PC 2). The client PC (PC 1 or PC 2) includes a CPU 7601, a ROM7602, a RAM 7603, a hard disk drive (HDD) 7604, a keyboard 7605, apointing device 7606, a display control section 7607, a display device7608, and a network interface 7609 which are connected (incommunication) with each other via a system bus 7610. The CPU 7601 cancontrol various operations of the client PC. The ROM 7602 stores a BIOSand a boot program. The RAM 7603 can function as a work area of CPU7601. The HDD 7604 is a large-capacity storage device that can store anOS (Operating System), a printer driver program, various applicationprograms, and data files created on the applications. The pointingdevice 7606 is, for example, a mouse (registered trademark).

The display control section 7607, including a video memory, can executethe processing of drawing in the video memory in accordance with aninstruction of the CPU 7601 and read image data from the video memory.The display control section 7607 can send the readout image data, as avideo signal, to the display device 7608. The network interface 7609 cancontrol and manage the communications between the client PC and thenetwork.

In response to a turning-on action of the electric power source of theapparatus, the CPU 7601 loads the OS from the HDD 7604 to the RAM 7603in accordance with the boot program stored in the ROM 7602 and activatesthe OS. Then, a user can operate the keyboard 7605 and the pointingdevice 7606 to start a desired application program. When the user inputsa print execution instruction from a menu of the application program,the printer driver is loaded to the RAM 7604 and a GUI is displayed toenable the user to execute various print settings. Then, afteraccomplishing the settings, the user can input a print start instructionto start the print processing.

In the exemplary embodiment, the OS installed on the client PCs 1 and 2is Windows (registered trademark) provided by Microsoft Corporation.However, any other OS of GUI can be used. Furthermore, the displaydevice 7608 displays a cursor that can shift on a display screen inaccordance with a movement of the pointing device 7606. Furthermore, thepointing device 7606 has one or plural buttons. The user can operate thepointing device 7606 to shift the cursor to a target object (e.g., adisplayed button or menu item) and can depress a button of the pointingdevice 7606 as a sequential operation. This sequential operation isreferred to as a “click operation” or simply referred to as a “click.”

[Exemplary Operation of Printer Driver]

FIGS. 2 to 4 show an exemplary UI screen of the printer driver used inthe host computers 1 and 2. When various setting parameters (i.e., printoutput processing conditions) are set on the UI screen, the printerdriver can transmit, via the network 100 or other communication medium,a command relating to the print output processing conditions togetherwith required image data to a transmission destination, such as an imageforming apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary UI screen window 201 of the printer driver.The window 201 of the printer driver includes, as a setting item, atransmission destination selecting column 202 that designates an outputdestination of a print job (including print data). The selecting column202 allows an operator (i.e., user) to select a desired outputdestination (i.e., an image forming apparatus) in the image formingsystem.

The window 201 includes, as another setting item, a page setting column203 that allows the operator to select a print range in the print job.In other words, the user can designate a desirable range (page(s)) ofthe image data produced on the application software (hereinafter,referred to as “application”) operating on the host computer. Forexample, the user can control, through the page setting column 203, theimage forming apparatus to print all pages or specific page(s) only.

Furthermore, through a print number setting column 204, the user candesignate a print number representing the total number of prints to beproduced by the image forming apparatus. By clicking on arrows (arrowsof scroll bar), the user can increase or decrease the print number.Also, through a property key 207, the user can perform detailed settingsrelating to the image forming apparatus selected in the transmissiondestination selecting column 202. In response to a user's inputoperation on the key 207, the printer driver can control the hostcomputer to display detailed screens shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The user can make a key input on an OK key 205 when the settings havebeen accomplished as the user like on the operation screen of FIG. 2. Inresponse to the user's input, the selected image forming apparatusstarts the print processing according to the user's determined settings.The user can depress a cancel key 206 to cancel the processing. When thecancel key 206 is depressed, the printer driver executes a control forcanceling the print and terminates the display of the window 201.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show exemplary operation screens (UI) displayed when theuser selects the property key 207. The screen shown includes tab keys,such as “page setting” tab 310, “finishing” tab 320, “paper feed” tab330 and “print quality” tab 340. The user can input an instruction byclicking on a desired tab key (with a pointing device or other operatingsection equipped in a host computer) to perform the settings for variousdetailed print output conditions including the settings relating to the“page setting” tab 310, the settings relating to the “finishing” tab320, the settings relating to the “paper feed” tab 330, or the settingsrelating to the “print quality” tab 340.

FIG. 3 shows a screen example displayed when the “page setting” tab 310is depressed. The screen of FIG. 3 includes a paper size setting portion301 designating the size of recording paper sheets, an input section 302setting a surface-mounting layout that determines how many page imagesare arranged on one recording paper sheet (N-up), an orientation settingportion 303 designating the orientation of the printed recording papersheet, and an input section 304 setting a print number.

FIG. 4 shows a screen example displayed when the “finishing” tab 320 isdepressed. On the screen shown in FIG. 4, the user can perform thesettings relating to the device selected on the operation screen shownin FIG. 2. When the “finishing” tab 320 is selected based on a user'skey operation, the printer driver 505 displays a finisher selectingscreen (not shown) to let the user select a desirable finisher if thereare plural finisher profiles. When a desirable finisher is selected, theprinter driver reads profile information of the selected finisher anddisplays an operation screen shown in FIG. 4 on the display sectionaccording to the readout profile information.

For example, the settings attainable through the operation panel shownin FIG. 4 include various detailed settings, such as the settingsrelating to stapling processing, the settings relating to sortprocessing, the settings relating to punching processing, the settingsrelating to drilling processing, the settings relating to bookbindingprocessing, the settings relating to sheet processing (including thesettings relating to the finishing), the settings relating to selectionbetween one-sided printing and two-sided printing, and the settingsrelating to image processing (e.g., parameter change relating to tint).

For example, the user can select the one-sided print (or, can switch tothe two-sided print) in the selecting field 401 and can select, aspost-processing for printed products, a preferable bookbinding directionin a selecting field 402 for the image forming apparatus selected on theoperation screen of FIG. 2. The selecting field 402 of FIG. 4 shows thecondition that a long-side binding (left) is set as the bindingdirection of printed products. The binding directions selectable in theselecting field 402 includes a short-side binding (left), a short-sidebinding (right), and a long-side binding (right) in addition to thelong-side binding (left).

The post-processing for the printed products include two types, if thenear-line finisher 21 is designated beforehand to perform predeterminedpost-processing (e.g., casing-in bookbinding). According to the firstprocessing, the printer driver 505 transmits to the image formingapparatus 10 a print job including job control information describingthe contents of post-processing performed in the near-line finisher 21and a near-line finisher ID. According to the second processing, theprinter driver 505 (see FIG. 5) produces a job ticket describingpost-processing contents and a job ID (identifier) and outputs theproduced job ticket to the near-line finisher 21.

In response to a user's operation in an input field 403, the printerdriver controls the display of the operation screen shown in FIG. 4 soas to return the print detailed settings to initial values. Furthermore,in response to a user's selection of the “print quality” tab 340, theuser can perform the settings relating to resolution or half tone(although not shown).

When the user depresses (instructs) an OK key 404, the printer driverenables the property settings and returns the display screen to the UIscreen of FIG. 2. When the user depresses (instructs) a cancel key 405,the printer driver disables the property settings and returns to the UIscreen of FIG. 2. The printer driver outputs, as the print job, theprint processing conditions including various detailed settings and theimage data to the designated device (e.g., image forming apparatuses 10and 20). The host computer can control the device according to variousprint processing conditions to execute the image data processing.

[Exemplary Printer Driver Configuration]

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary software configuration of thehost computer including a printer driver. The configuration shown inFIG. 5 is applied to the host computer 1 (FIG. 1), although the otherhost computer 2 has a similar configuration. In FIG. 5, an operatingsystem (OS) 502 manages various controls of the host computer 1. Theprinter driver 505 and application software (program) 508 are installedon the OS 502 and controlled by the OS 502. A driver UI rearrangementapplication 512, contained in the application program 508, can rearrangethe printer driver UI based on the information relating to the finisherprofile stored in a profile storing region 504.

The driver UI rearrangement application 512 can compare the obtainedfinisher profile with the functions displayed on the present printerdriver UI, determine whether a display relating to finisher functionsshould be added on the UI or deleted from the UI, and update the displayof the UI based on the judgment. The display control based on the driverUI rearrangement application 512 will be described in more detail withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 39A.

If desirable, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can beconfigured as part of the printer driver 505. In this case, the printerdriver 505 must determine whether a display relating to the finisherfunctions should be added on the UI or deleted from the UI. Furthermore,the function of the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can beprovided as part of the function of the OS 502. In this case, the OS 502must determine whether a display relating to the finisher functionsshould be added on the UI or deleted from the UI.

The printer driver 505 includes a user I/F driver 506 and a graphicdriver 507. The user I/F driver 506 can display the user interface (I/F)and store the setting data. The graphic driver 507 can receive a printdrawing command instructed from the application program 508 via the OS502, and can convert the received command into a code that the imageforming apparatus (10, 20) can interpret. The printer driver 505 cancontrol the display of the printer driver UI based on the processing ofthe driver UI rearrangement application 512. The user I/F driver 506 candisplay the above-described print setting dialog and the property sheetshown in FIGS. 2 through 4 on the screen, when the print settings areinstructed from the application program 508 via the OS 502.

The OS 502 includes a printer driver setting storing region 503. Theprint attributes that the user sets through the user I/F driver 506 canbe stored in the printer driver setting storing region 503. Furthermore,the user I/F driver 506, the graphic driver 507, and the applicationprogram 508 can access the printer driver setting storing region 503 viathe OS 502, and read the print attributes set by the user.

Furthermore, a communication I/F 510 of the host computer is connectedto a communication I/F 511 of the image forming apparatus 10 via thecommunication medium (network 100) The graphic driver 507 can transmit,via the OS 502, a print job (print data), for example, to the imageforming apparatus 10. Furthermore, the graphic driver 507 can obtain,via the OS 502, the information relating to configuration of the imageforming apparatus 10 as well as the information relating to the status.

[Exemplary Flow of Printing]

Next, a printing flow starting with user's settings of print attributeson the printer driver and ending with the output of print products willbe described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the setting procedureperformed by a user to set print attributes. FIG. 7 is a flowchartshowing the flow starting with a user's print instruction and endingwith the print operation.

First, in step S601 of FIG. 6, the user can select a print setting menufrom a menu of the application program 508 (hereinafter, simply referredto as “application”). In response to selection of the print settingmenu, the application 508 calls an API (Application ProgrammingInterface) of the OS 502 and instructs the printer driver 505 to displaya print attribute setting property sheet (refer to step S602). Inresponse to the instruction, the OS 502 controls the printer driver 505to perform the display of the print attribute setting property sheet.

In step S603, the user I/F driver 506 of the printer driver 505 receivesthe instruction from the OS 502 and displays the print attribute settingproperty sheet shown in FIG. 2 on the screen of the display device.Next, in step S604, the user can set desired print attributes on theabove-described property sheets shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. After completingthe print attribute settings, the user can depress the OK button 205 onthe property sheet of FIG. 2 to fix the print attribute settings. Inresponse to the depression of the OK button 205, the user I/F driver 506calls the API of the OS 502 and stores the print attribute settingvalues set by the user in the printer driver setting storing region 503of the OS 502 (refer to step S605). With the above-described operations,the settings of print attributes and the storage of setting values canbe completed.

Next, to print a document according to the print attribute settings, theuser can execute the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7. First,in step S701, the user can select a print menu from the menu of theapplication 508. In response to the user's selection, the processingprocedure proceeds to step S702. In step S702, the application 508 callsthe API of the OS 502 and instructs the printer driver 505 to start theprinting operation. The print setting dialog shown in FIG. 2 can be oncedisplayed during the processing of FIG. 7. In response to a printinstruction, the OS 502 instructs the printer driver 505 to start theprint operation.

In response to a print start instruction, the graphic driver 507 of theprinter driver 505 reads the print attribute setting values from theprinter driver setting storing region 503 of the OS 502 (refer to stepS703). Then, the graphic driver 507 produces a print attribute settingcode and transmits the produced code to a designated image formingapparatus. Next, in step S704, the application 508 performs, through theOS 502, the print drawing based on the document data.

In step S705, the OS 502 sends a drawing instruction to the graphicdriver 507. The graphic driver 507 converts a received print drawingcommand into a print code that the image forming apparatus caninterpret, and transmits the print code to the image forming apparatus.In step S706, the image forming apparatus performs the image formingprocessing, including the rendering, based on the received printattribute setting code and the print code. Then, the image formingapparatus outputs print products.

Through the above-described procedure, the user can set desired printattributes and can obtain print products.

[Exemplary Arrangement of Image Forming Apparatus]

FIG. 8 is block diagram showing the arrangement of an image formingapparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The image formingapparatus includes a job control section 800, a scanner input section801, a FAX section 802, an NIC (Network Interface Card) section 803, adedicated I/F section 804, a USB interface (I/F section) 805, acompression/expansion section 806, a document storing section 807, acommon DB section 808, a post-processing section 809, a printer section810, an image processing section 811, a PDL section 812, and anoperating section 813.

The scanner input section 801 can perform reading of images. The FAXsection 802, represented by a facsimile, can performtransmission/reception of images via a telephone line. The NIC section803 can perform transmission/reception of image data and deviceinformation via a network. The dedicated I/F section 804 can performtransmission/reception of information with other image forming apparatusor with a host computer. The USB interface 805 can performwriting/reading of image data with a USB device represented by a USB(Universal Serial Bus) memory.

The job control section 800 can temporarily store image data accordingto the operation of the image forming apparatus, appropriately read theimage data, and control an output processing step (processing path).Furthermore, in response to an operator's instruction entered from theoperating section 813, the job control section 800 can perform the datatransfer to external apparatuses. More specifically, the job controlsection 800 can transmit the image data read out from the memory, suchas a hard disk, to the host computers 1 and 2 and other image formingapparatuses via the dedicated I/F section 804.

The document storing section 807 includes a hard disk or a comparablememory that can store numerous image data. For example, the documentstoring section 807 can store, in its memory, plural types of image dataincluding image data entered from the scanner input section 801, imagedata of a facsimile job entered via the FAX section 802, image datatransmitted from a computer or other external apparatus and entered viathe NIC section 803, and image data transmitted from other image formingapparatus and entered via the dedicated I/F section 804.

Furthermore, according to the processing of the printer section 810 (orother output section), the job control section 800 can read the imagedata from the hard disk or other memory and can transfer the readoutimage data to the printer section 810 (or output section) appropriately.

The compression/expansion section 806 can compress image data when theimage data are stored in the document storing section 807 and furthercan expand the compressed image data to the original data when the imagedata are read out of the document storing section 807. Furthermore, ifthe image data are JPEG, JBIG, ZIP, or other compression datatransmitted via the network, the compression/expansion section 806 canextract (expand) the compression data after the image data are enteredinto the image forming apparatus.

The common DB section 808 stores various parameters and tables, such asfonts, color profiles, and gamma tables, which are commonly used and canbe read out when required. Furthermore, the common DB section 808 canstore new parameters and tables and can correct and update the storedparameters and tables. For example, the common DB section 808 can storeregister data relating to a near-line finisher which is newly registeredto the image forming apparatus.

When PDL data are entered, the job control section 800 controls the PDLsection 812 to execute RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing and alsocontrols, if necessary, the image processing section 811 to perform theimage processing for outputting print products. Furthermore, the jobcontrol section 800 can control the document storing section 807 tostore intermediate data produced in the processing of the image data orprint ready data (i.e., print output bit map data or their compresseddata) if necessary.

The job control section 800 can send the above-described print readydata to the printer section 810. The post-processing section 809 canexecute finishing processing (e.g., sorting or bookbinding processing)for the recording materials (e.g., recording paper sheets) printed inthe printer section 810.

The job control section 800 can perform switching of paths according tothe operation of the image forming apparatus. Numerous examples of theaforementioned path switching are provided below, such as:

Copy function: Scanner input section

Image processing section

Printer section;

FAX reception function: FAX section

Image processing section

Printer section;

Network scan: Scanner input section

NIC section;

Network print: NIC section

PDL section

Image processing section

Printer section;

Scanning to external apparatus: Scanner input section

Dedicated I/F section;

Printing from external apparatus: Dedicated I/F section

Image processing section

Printer section;

Scanning to external memory: Scanner input section

USB I/F section;

Printing from external memory: USB I/F section

PDL section

Image processing section

Printer section;

Box scan function: Scanner input section Image processing section

Document storing section;

Box print function: Document storing section Printer section;

Box reception function: NIC section

PDL section

Image processing section

Document storing section;

Box transmission function: Document storing section

NIC section; and

Preview function: Document storing section

Operating section.

Also, other various functions, including E-mail service and Web serverfunction, can be combined with the above examples.

The box scan, box print, box reception, and box transmission functionsare performed by the image forming apparatus to execute writing andreading of data using the document storing section 807. Morespecifically, to execute the input/output of data, the memory of thedocument storing section 807 is divided into plural regions totemporarily store the data for respective jobs or users together withuser IDs and passwords.

Furthermore, the operating section 813 can allow a user to select one ofthe above-described various flows or functions and also allow the userto input an instruction. When the operating section 813 has ahigh-resolution display device, the user can use the operating section813 to preview the image data stored in the document storing section 807and can instruct printing of the image data if acceptable.

The image forming apparatus 10 can set the functions of the in-linefinisher 11 and the near-line finishers 21 and 22. The image formingapparatus 10 can store finisher profiles (later-described) that describethe functions of respective finishers. The image forming apparatus 10can transmit the finisher profiles to the host computer (e.g., 1 or 2 ofFIG. 1) to set the functions to be used. The host computer can execute asetting operation based on the received finisher profiles. For example,at the timing of shipment, the image forming apparatus 10 can obtain theprofiles of all types of connectable finishers and store the obtainedprofiles in its memory.

In this case, if the image forming apparatus 10 newly supports thenear-line finishers 21 and 22 after finishing the shipment, the imageforming apparatus 10 can obtain profile information (i.e., near-linefinisher profiles) of the near-line finishers 21 and 22 at the timingthe near-line finishers 21 and 22 are newly connected to the network.

Furthermore, when a finisher has no profile information, the imageforming apparatus 10 can obtain the profile information from a home pageof the finisher maker that can provide newest profile informationincluding updated (i.e., changed or added) functions. Accordingly, evenif no finisher profiles are available at the timing of shipment, theimage forming apparatus 10 can later obtain necessary profiles. Theprofile information describes the capabilities and properties of acorresponding apparatus. In this respect, the profile information can bereferred to as capability information or property information.

[Exemplary Setting of Finisher]

The job control section 800 can hold the finisher profiles describingthe functions of the post-processing section 809 (i.e., the in-linefinisher, the near-line finisher, and the off-line finisher), forexample, in the common DB section 808. The job control section 800 canset the functions to be used based on the finisher profiles.

At the timing of shipping the image forming apparatus, the common DBsection 808 can store the profiles of all finishers that are connectableto the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, when a finisher is newlyconnected to the image forming apparatus after finishing the shipment,the job control section 800 of the image forming apparatus can obtainthe profile information stored in this finisher. The job control section800 of the image forming apparatus can communicate via the NIC section803 with the near-line finishers (e.g., 21 and 22 in FIG. 1) and thefinisher system (e.g., 200 in FIG. 1) connected to the network 100, toobtain the finisher profile data.

Furthermore, when a finisher has no profile information, the job controlsection 800 of the image forming apparatus can download the profileinformation of a home page of the finisher maker that can provide newestprofile information including updated (i.e., changed or added)functions.

[Exemplary Arrangement of Post-Press]

The present exemplary embodiment discloses a middle stitch bookbindingmachine, as an example of the in-line finisher, and a perfectbookbinding machine (FIG. 10) and a sheet cutting machine (FIG. 11) asexamples of the near-line finisher.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal arrangementof a controller 900 of the near-line finisher that controls apost-processing device 920. The controller 900 includes a networksection 901, a storage device 902, a job control section 903, anoperating section 904, a job control information interpreting section905, and a device control section 906.

The network section 901 can perform communications with other networkdevices, such as the host computer and the image forming apparatus. Thestorage device 902 is a primary storage device, such as DRAM, which cantemporarily store the information or a secondary storage device, such asHDD. The job control section 903 can control a job of the near-linefinisher. The operating section 904 can allow a user to input ID orother information. The job control information interpreting section 905can interpret and convert the entered job information into the formcapable of controlling the post-processing device. The device controlsection 906 can control the post-processing device 920. Theabove-described modules constitute the near-line finisher.

In FIG. 10, a controller 1001 has functions comparable with those of thecontroller 900 shown in FIG. 9. Thus, under the control of thecontroller 1001, the perfect bookbinding machine 2806 can communicatewith other devices via the network 100 and can control a perfect bindingdevice 1002. Similarly, in FIG. 11, a controller 1101 has functionscomparable with those of the controller 900 shown in FIG. 9. Thus, underthe control of the controller 1101, the sheet cutting machine 3406 cancommunicate with other devices via the network 100 and can control asheet cutting device 1102.

[Exemplary Processing Flow in Near-Line Finisher]

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the near-linefinisher. First, in step S1201, the network section 901 receives jobcontrol information. The job control information interpreting section905 interprets the received job control information (refer to stepS1202), and converts the job control information into the data capableof controlling the post-processing device 920. The storage device 902stores the job control data together with the print job ID (refer tostep S1203). Next, the operating section 904 allows an operator to inputa job ID of the print job to be processed (refer to step S1204). Inresponse to the user's input, the job control section 903 obtains jobcontrol information relating to the designated print job from thestorage device 902 (refer to step S1205). The job control information isset in the device control section 906. Then, the device control section906 controls the post-processing device 920 according to the job controlinformation (refer to step S1206).

In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the storage device 902 temporarily storesthe job control information and the job control information can be readout at appropriate timing. However, when a network server (or MFP)capable of storing such job control information is available, thereceived job control information can be registered in the server. Inthis case, in response to a job ID entered from the operating section904, the job control section 903 can access the server to obtain the jobcontrol information corresponding to the entered job ID, and cantransfer the job control information to the job control informationinterpreting section 905.

[Internal Configuration of Profile]

In the present exemplary embodiment, the finisher profile is describedby XML (extensible Markup Language) format. There are various types offinishers, such as bookbinding machines, sheet cutting machines, andholding machines, which are differentiated in functions. Furthermore,due to addition of new function(s), same type of finishers may havedifferent profiles. Therefore, the finisher profiles are describedaccording to the XML format described by the tag format, as atranscription capable of appropriately responding to the addition offunctions. Needless to say, the format of finisher profiles is notlimited to the XML format and therefore can be any other format that canbe adaptively described in response to the addition of new functions.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the finisher profile of a bookbindingmachine. FIG. 14 shows an example of the finisher profile of a sheetcutting machine. In FIGS. 13 and 14, “FinishingType” (1301, 1401)represents a type of the bookbinding machine or the sheet cuttingmachine, “Manufacturer” (1302, 1402) represents a maker (i.e.,manufacture) name, and “ProductName” (1303, 1403) represents a producttype. According to the example shown in FIG. 13, the bookbinding machine(Type: Bookbookbinding) is the type 11ABC manufactured by ABCcorporation. According to the example shown in FIG. 14, the sheetcutting machine (Type: Cutting) is the type 10XYZ manufactured by XYZcorporation. The tags, such as “Booklet” (1304) in FIG. 13 and “Cutting”(1404) in FIG. 14, describe inherent capabilities of the bookbindingmachine and the sheet cutting machine.

For example, in the case of the bookbinding machine (refer to FIG. 13),variations of the bookbinding, such as “middle stitch folding” (1305),“side stitch” (1306), “corner stitch” (1307), “double folding” (1308),“side stitch folding” (1309), and “corner stitch folding” (1310), can beregistered as bookbinding functions. Further, reference numeral 1311represents function information.

Furthermore, in the case of the sheet cutting machine (refer to FIG.14), cutting size information (1405, 1406) and maximum thick information1407 can be registered. Furthermore, according to the “cutting” tag 1404of FIG. 14, the maximum input dimensions (MaxInputDimensions) are 360 mmin both longitudinal and lateral (X, Y) directions. Furthermore, themaximum output dimensions (MaxOutputDimensions) are 310 mm in bothlongitudinal and lateral (X, Y) directions. The minimum outputdimensions (MinoutputDimensions) are 80 mm in the lateral (X) directionand 150 mm in the longitudinal (Y) direction. Furthermore, the maximumthickness (MaxThickness) is 70 mm.

As described above, the profile information of each finisher includesvarious information, such as type of function (machine type), makername, product type, and performances (e.g., dimensions and stitchposition) in each function. The profile information is, for example,stored in a storage device 2101 of the finisher. The image formingapparatus can read the profile information from the storage device 2101.The information processing apparatus, serving as a host computer, candirectly collect the profile information from the near-line finisherunder the control of its printer driver.

Regarding the inherent functions of each finisher, they can beindependently defined using tags to describe the profile.

[Finisher Connection and Management of Profile]

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an exemplary processing sectionrelating to finisher profiles in the image forming apparatus 10. Theimage forming apparatus 10 includes a communication I/F 1502, a finisherprofile control section 1503 which is part of a processor 1507, afinisher connection management table 1504, an operation panel 1506 and afinisher profile storing region 1505. The communication I/F 1502 cancommunicate with external devices. The finisher profile control section1503 can manage the finisher profiles and transmit a profile in responseto a request from an external device.

The finisher connection management table 1504 can manage finisher names,corresponding finisher profile names, and connection states. Thefinisher profile storing region 1505 can store detailed contents of thefinisher profile. The finishers connectable to the image formingapparatus 10 are registered beforehand. Their names and otherinformation are stored in the finisher connection management table 1504.The profiles corresponding to respective finishers are stored in thefinisher profile storing region 1505.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary table showing the contents of the finisherconnection management table 1504. This table includes the information offinishers connectable to the image forming apparatus. The finisherconnection management table 1504 includes, as registered items, amanagement number 1602 (variable type is Unsigned Short), a finishername 1603 (variable type is String), a maker name 1604 (variable type isString), a corresponding profile's profile name 1605 (variable type isString), and a finisher's connection state 1606 (variable type isBoolean, “false” represents a disconnected state, and “true” representsa connected state).

According to the table, when the management number 1602 is #5, thefinisher name 1603 is “Finisher-X”, the maker name 1604 is “XYZ”corporation, the corresponding profile's profile name 1605 is“finisher-x-of-xyz.xml”, and the finisher's connection state 1606 is“true (i.e., connected).” Similarly, the information corresponding toeach management number 1602 can be known from the finisher connectionmanagement table 1504. According to the example of FIG. 16, only thefinisher having the management number #5 is in a connected state (i.e.,true).

Next, an exemplary procedure for connecting the near-line finisher tothe image forming apparatus will be described with reference to aflowchart of FIG. 17. For example, the “Finisher-Y” manufactured by XYZcorporation (i.e., the finisher corresponding to the management number#6 in the finisher connection management table 1504 shown in FIG. 15)can be connected in the following manner.

It is now supposed that, after a new near-line finisher is installed, auser connects the near-line finisher to the image forming apparatus viaa LAN cable or other communication medium. The finisher profile controlsection 1503 (i.e., a processor 1507) of the image forming apparatus 10executes the processing shown in FIG. 17.

In step S1701, a new finisher is installed and connected to the imageforming apparatus (e.g., 10 or 20 in FIG. 1) via a communication medium.Next, in step S1702, a user performs a connecting operation, through theoperation panel, for a near-line finisher newly connected to the networkto bring the near-line finisher into an available condition. Theoperator, through the operation panel of the image forming apparatus(10, 20), changes the finisher's connection state 1606 from adisconnected state (false) to a connected state (true). The operationcontents will be described later with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. Then,in step S1703, the finisher profile control section 1503 updates theconnection state of the finisher connection management table 1504 inresponse to a response of the near-line finisher indicating that thenear-line finisher is ready to use.

[Renewal Operation of Connection State]

FIG. 21 shows an initial condition of the operation panel in the imageforming apparatus (10, 20). First, to perform the connection settingsfor the finisher, the operator depresses an option (Options) button 2101shown in FIG. 21. The option (Options) button is provided for theoptional settings of the image forming apparatus. When the option(Options) button is depressed, a screen of FIG. 22 can be displayed.

On the screen of FIG. 22, the operator can depress a “FinisherRegistration” button 2202. In response to the depression of this button,a finisher connection registration screen of FIG. 23 can be displayed.The finisher connection registration screen shows a list of finishersthat can be registered. The connection registration of each finisher canbe performed on this screen. The list of finisher data may include, forexample, a finisher name 2301, a maker name 2302, and a connection state2303. The list can display a total of seven finishers simultaneously andcan other finishers listed before or after these finishers by depress abutton (2304, 2305) to scroll the screen.

Regarding the connection registration of a finisher or its cancellation,the operator can touch the display of a target finisher to turn it intoa selected condition (see reference numeral 2307) and can depress a“Connect” button 2309 to register the connection of the target finisheror depress a “De-Connect” button 2308 to cancel the connectionregistration.

For example, according to the example, to register the connection of theFinisher-Y of XYZ Corporation, the operator can touch anywhere in theline 2307 area to turn the display of Finisher-Y into the selectedcondition. Then, the operator can depress the “Connect” button 2309 toregister the connection of Finisher-Y. In response to the depression ofthe “Connect” button 2309, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits aconnection request (i.e., a request inquiring whether the targetfinisher is available) to the near-line finisher. In a response to thisconnection request is received, the designated near-line finisher isavailable and accordingly the image forming apparatus 10 displays“Connected.”

If no response is obtained, the designated near-line finisher isunavailable and accordingly the display cannot be changed. Finally, theimage forming apparatus enables the settings. Then, the operator candepress an “OK” button 2311 to return the operation panel to the initialcondition. If the operator touches a “Cancel” button 2310, theregistration work can be abandoned. The entire contents entered throughthe operation panel can be erased. Thus, no updating work for thefinisher connection management table 1504 of the image forming apparatuscan be performed.

According to the example, the operator has made a connectionregistration for Finisher-Y2307 of XYZ Corporation on the finisherconnection registration screen shown in FIG. 23. In response to thisregistration, the connection state of #6 finisher (i.e., Finisher-Y)changes form “false” (refer to 1607 in FIG. 16) to “true” (refer to 2601in FIG. 26).

Through the above-described procedure, the connection registrationprocessing relating to a newly added near-line finisher can becompleted. According to the above-described example, the settingsrelating to the connection registration of a finisher was done by anoperator through the operation panel of the image forming apparatusafter finishing the connection of the near-line finisher.

However, the method for registering the connection of a finisher is notlimited to a particular one and accordingly any other method will beused if the finisher connection management table 1504 can be updated.For example, the image forming apparatus (10, 20) and the finisher cancommunicate with each other via the network 100 according to theprotocol defined at the timing of connection. In this case, the imageforming apparatus (10, 20) can automatically perform the connectionregistration when connection of the finisher is recognized.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus can transmit a request foracquiring a finisher profile to the connected near-line finisher. Then,the image forming apparatus can receive a finisher profile transmittedfrom the near-line finisher. The received finisher profile can be storedin the finisher profile storing region 1505. Furthermore, the name ofthe received finisher profile can be registered in the field of finisherprofile name 1605 of the finisher management table 1504. Furthermore,the finisher's address can be registered in relation to the finisherprofile.

As described above, the image forming apparatus can read the profileinformation of a near-line finisher from the registered near-linefinisher. Subsequently, the computer can obtain the profile informationfrom the image forming apparatus. However, if desirable, the computercan directly obtain the profile information from the near-line finisher.

[Acquirement of Finisher Profile]

Next, an exemplary printer driver's procedure for obtaining a finisherprofile from the image forming apparatus and storing the finisherprofile will be described. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, theprofile storing region 504 is a memory region in the OS 502 that canstore finisher profiles obtained by the printer driver 505 from theimage forming apparatus (e.g., 10 in FIG. 1).

The printer driver 505 can activate a profile acquiring module via theAPI (Application Programming Interface) of the OS 502 and can store, inthe profile storing region 504, the finisher profile obtained from theimage forming apparatus 10 using the profile acquiring module. Theprofile acquiring module can be configured as part of a module of theprinter driver 505, or can be provided as part of functions of the OS502.

Furthermore, to request or transmit a finisher profile, thecommunication I/F 510 of the host computer and the communication I/F 511of the image forming apparatus 10 are connected via a communicationmedium (e.g., network 100). The communication protocol is not limited toa particular type and accordingly any other protocol can be used, as faras the printer driver can transmit a finisher profile acquiring requestand the image forming apparatus can return detailed contents of therequested finisher profile.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of theprinter driver 505 that obtains a finisher profile from the imageforming apparatus 10. In step S2401, the printer driver 505 requests theimage forming apparatus 10 to obtain a profile of a finisher whoseconnection is registered. In response to the acquiring request of theprinter driver 505, the finisher profile control section 1503 of theimage forming apparatus 10 successively retrieves registered contents ofthe finisher connection management table 1504 to confirm the connectionstate of each finisher (refer to step S2402). For example, when thefinisher profile control section 1503 confirms the connection state ofthe “Finisher-A” in the finisher connection management table 1504 heldby the image forming apparatus 10, it is known that the connection stateof “Finisher-A” is “false” as shown in FIG. 26.

Thus, in the judgment of the connection state (refer to step S2403), theconnection state of “Finisher-A” is “false” (i.e., NO in step S2403).The processing flow proceeds to step S2405. In step S2405, it isdetermined whether confirmation of all finishers listed in the finisherconnection management table 1504 has been completed.

When the confirmation of all finishers has been completed (i.e., YES instep S2405), this routine terminates. When the confirmation of allfinishers is not completed yet (i.e., NO in step S2405), the processingflow returns to step S2402 to repeat the above-described processing foreach of “Finisher-B”, “Finisher-C”, “Binder-ABC” - - - registered in thefinisher connection management table 1504.

For example, in the processing of the “Finisher-X” (i.e., #5 registeredin the finisher connection management table 1504), the connection stateof “Finisher-X” is true (i.e., true in step S2403) and accordingly theprocessing flow proceeds to step S2404.

On the other hand, in the judgment of the connection state (refer tostep S2403), if the connection state of “Finisher-A” is “true” (i.e.,YES in step S2403), the process proceeds to step 2404. In step S2404,the finisher profile control section 1503 transmits a finisher profilecorresponding to Finisher-X, which is in a connection state (in anavailable condition), to the printer driver 505. In this case, thefinisher profile control section 1503 can recognize that the finisherprofile name corresponding to the finisher Finisher-X is“finisher-x-of-xyz.xml” (refer to the field 1605 corresponding to thefinisher name Finisher-X) from the finisher connection management table1504. The finisher profile control section 1503 reads the finisherprofile from the finisher profile storing region 1505 and transmits thereadout finisher profile to the printer driver.

After completing the confirmation with respect to a final finisher inthe finisher management table, the information indicating that theconfirmation in step S2405 is completed for all finishers is transmittedto the printer driver before terminating this routine.

On the other hand, the printer driver 505 receives a response from theimage forming apparatus and determines whether the response indicates“incomplete.” When the response is “incomplete,” the received data isthe finisher profile and can be stored in the storing region. In thismanner, the printer driver can obtain, from the image forming apparatus,the finisher profile of a near-line finisher in a connection state(i.e., in an available state).

[Print Processing Flow in Host Computer]

To print a document, a user can select a print menu in the menu of theapplication software. In response to the user's selection (instruction),the application software can call the API of the OS to send a printstart instruction to the printer driver. In response to the printinstruction, the OS instructs the printer driver to start printing. Inresponse to the print start instruction, the graphic driver constitutingthe printer driver reads the print setting information from the printerdriver setting storing region of the OS, and produces job controlinformation for the image forming apparatus and job control informationinstructing the finishing settings for the selected finisher.

Then, the printer driver produces a print job including the produced jobcontrol information and transmits the produced print job to the imageforming apparatus (according to a first processing method), or transmitsjob tickets of the print job and the job control information to theimage forming apparatus and to the selected finisher, respectively(according to a second processing).

In practice, the job control information can include JDF (Job DefinitionFormat), PJL (Print Job Language), and PDL (Page Description Language)commands. The JDF is an XML based file format that can inclusivelydefine/describe and manage/control all steps in the creation andmanufacturing of printed products. In the present exemplary embodiment,the JDF is simply referred to as a job ticket. The PJL is a generallanguage that can handle the PDL as a print job. The present exemplaryembodiment uses the JDF. When the selected finisher is a near-linefinisher, a job ticket is transmitted as job control information to thisnear-line finisher. When the selected finisher is an in-line finisher,job control information described in the PJL or PDL of the print job istransmitted to the image forming apparatus connected to this in-linefinisher.

When the selected finisher is an off-line finisher, the contents of thejob control information are converted into a format that an operator canread and input into the off-line finisher and a print job including theconverted job control information is transmitted to the image formingapparatus. When the transmission destination is a near-line finisher,the transmission destination address is an IP address stored in relationto the finisher profile.

The application program, through the OS, performs print drawing based ondocument data. The print drawing command instructed to the OS isdelivered as a print drawing command to the graphic driver. The graphicdriver converts the received print drawing command into drawinginformation that the image forming apparatus can interpret, andtransmits the drawing information, as the data constituting a print job(simply referred to as “print job”) to the image forming apparatus.

After receiving the drawing information, the image forming apparatusperforms the rendering and printing based on the received drawinginformation. The page description language representing the drawinginformation is, for example, LIPS, PCL, or PS. With the above-describedprocedure, the user can obtain a desired print output.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow (i.e.,settings of post-processing) in the host computer that produces a printjob. First, in step S2501, after an operator created the print databased on the application program, the printer driver 505 is activated.In step S2502, the printer driver 505 displays a UI screen (FIG. 2) forperforming the settings of a finisher. In step S2503, functions of thesupporting finisher on the setting screen of the printer driver aredisplayed. When the operator depresses the property button 207, theprinter driver 505 displays a detailed property setting screen (FIG. 3).

In step S2504, when the finishing processing is applied to the printdata, the printer driver 505 displays the detailed finishing settingscreen (FIG. 4) in response to the operator's selection of the finishingtab (320). When the operator selects required finishing items (i.e.,finishing functions) on the detailed setting screen (FIG. 4), theprinter driver 505 performs the settings of finishing functions providedby a finisher that the printer driver 505 supports (refer to stepS2505).

The processing in step S2504 is repeated unless the settings of allrequired finisher functions are accomplished (i.e., NO in step 2505).When the settings of finisher functions are completed (i.e., YES in stepS2505), the processing flow proceeds to step S2506. In the settings offinisher functions, the printer driver 505 determines whether newlyincorporated finisher functions contradict the operator's designatedfinishing items (i.e., finishing functions).

For example, when an operator uses the initial setting screen of theprinter driver to set newly incorporated finisher functions, theoperator may erroneously input numerical values that cannot be acceptedby the finisher. To avoid such contradiction, the printer driver 505controls the display of the UI screen so that the operator's settingscan be acceptable for the finisher. The contents of the display controlwill be described in more detail.

Then, in step S2506, the printer driver 505 executes a print instructionbased on the setting contents in response to the operator's depressionof the OK button 205 shown in FIG. 2. Then, the host computer (1, 2)outputs a print job including produced job control information to theimage forming apparatus (10, 20) (refer to step S2507).

[Finishing Processing]

Next, an exemplary finisher processing flow according to the firstprocessing method will be described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 58. According to the first processing method, the printer drivertransmits to the image forming apparatus a print job including jobcontrol information describing the post-processing contents of thenear-line finisher. The image forming apparatus receives the job controlinformation and executes the finishing processing in accordance with therelated description in the job control information.

First, in step S5801, the job control information is received from theprinter driver or the like. Next, in step S5802, the received jobcontrol information is analyzed. In step S5803, it is determined whetherany registered finisher can process the received job control informationbased on the profile information managed in the image forming apparatus.To this end, for example, it is preferable to prepare a table describingthe relationship between the tags described in the profile informationand the tags described in the job control information, which can bereferred to by the control section of the image forming apparatus. Then,the finisher profiles collected by the image forming apparatus can bescanned with tags corresponding to the tags described in the job controlinformation.

If all function tags are met or hit, the job control information can beprocessed (more specifically, the designated finishing processing isexecutable). However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the printerdriver can produce the job control information corresponding to thefinisher profiles and accordingly step S5803 can be skipped.

When there is no registered finisher that can process the processingdescribed in the job control information, described by a tag showing afunction, (i.e., NO in step S5803), this routine terminates. When thereis a registered finisher (i.e., YES in step S5803), the type of thisregistered finisher is confirmed in step S5804. When the registeredfinisher is an in-line finisher, the processing flow proceeds to stepS5805 and the image forming apparatus performs the job control for thein-line finisher according to the settings designated in the job controlinformation (refer to step S5806).

In the judgment of step S5804, the finisher type can be discriminatedbased on the IP address correlated with the profile information that canbe hit in the scanning of step S5803. If any IP address is correlated,the finisher type is a near-line finisher. Although an off-line finisherhas no profile information, the finisher type can be identified based ona job ID. For example, a discriminable code can be put to a job ID ofthe job control information for an off-line finisher. In this case, thejob control information for an off-line finisher is excluded from thejudgment objected in step S5803.

When the registered finisher is a near-line finisher, the processingflow proceeds to step S5807 and the image forming apparatus transmitsthe job control information and the job ID to this near-line finisher(refer to step S5808). The transmission destination is an IP addressentered at the timing of connection of the near-line finisher. When theregistered finisher is an off-line finisher, the processing flowproceeds to step 5809 and the image forming apparatus instructspreparation for printing the job ID and the designate finisher name(refer to step S5810).

In the present exemplary embodiment, when the printer driver employs thesecond processing method, the printer driver directly transmits the jobcontrol information to the addressed finisher. Thus, the printer canreceive only the job control information for the near-line finisher. Itis, therefore, possible to execute step S5806 immediately afteraccomplishing the processing of step S5802. Furthermore, the printerreceives the print job in addition to the job control information andexecutes the print processing based on the received job and information.

Next, in step S5811, it is determined whether all processes(post-processing) have been confirmed. When there is a process to beprocessed (i.e., NO in step S5811), the processing flow returns to stepS5804 to continue the above-described processing for the next process.When the processing of all processes has been completed (i.e., YES instep S5811), this routine terminates.

As described above, the in-line finisher of the printer executes thepost-processing. If the job control information of the near-linefinisher is transmitted to the printer, the job control information canbe transferred to the addressed near-line finisher.

[Processing Flow in Image Forming Apparatus]

Next, an exemplary processing procedure of the image forming apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toflowcharts shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20. The processing of FIG. 18corresponds to the above-described control in the management of thefinisher and the profile in the image forming apparatus. Furthermore,FIG. 19 shows a processing flow executed by the image forming apparatus,to execute the processing described in FIG. 24 (i.e., the processingthat the printer driver obtains the finisher profile from the imageforming apparatus).

[Setting of Near-Line Finisher]

FIG. 18 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow forregistering a near-line finisher connected to the image formingapparatus. To start the processing shown in FIG. 18, an operator canopen a near-line finisher setting screen, for example, from a user mode,through the operating section 813 of the image forming apparatus (e.g.,10, 20 of FIG. 1). First, in step S1801, an IP address designated by theuser is entered via the operating section 1907. Regarding thedesignation of the IP address, the user can directly input an IP addresscorresponding to the near-line finisher or can input an IP address of apredetermined subnet.

Next, in step S1802, a designated finisher is identified based on theentered IP address with reference to the finisher list stored in thefinisher profile storing region 903 of the image forming apparatus. And,a list of finishers connectable to the image processing apparatus isdisplayed. Thus, the user can select a maker and a product name of thenear-line finisher from the displayed list and can designate acorresponding profile.

In step S1803, the image forming apparatus displays a screen to let theoperator to check whether the contents entered in steps S1801 and S1802are correct. When the user inputs an instruction indicating thecorrectness of the contents, the processing flow proceeds to step S1804.In step S1804, the image forming apparatus requests the finishercorresponding to the entered address to transmit the profileinformation, and stores the profile information received from thefinisher in the common DB section 80. The finisher corresponding to thestored finisher profile is added to the finisher management table. Thechanged finisher management table is stored in the secondary storagedevice or in a nonvolatile memory.

Furthermore, as another exemplary embodiment, the maker and the productname can be known from an ID obtained from the near-line finisher. Inthis case, at the timing the user inputs an IP address, an ID acquiringrequest can be issued to obtain the IP from the near-line finisher andto display the obtained ID. In accordance with the ID selected by theuser, the profile information can be requested to the finishercorresponding to the ID.

The profile information can be obtained from the corresponding finisher,as a usable finisher connected to the network. The finisher managementtable can be rewritten correspondingly. The finisher profile can berequested to the finisher corresponding to the entered IP address. TheIP address and the profile information can be stored as correlated data.

[Profile Acquiring Request Processing by Host Computer]

FIG. 19 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flowresponding to a request of the host computer (1, 2) with respect to alist of near-line finishers registered in the image forming apparatus(10, 20) and acquirement of the profile.

First, in step S1901, when the image forming apparatus (10, 20) waitsfor an acquiring request of the finisher profile transmitted from thehost computer (1, 2). When the acquiring request is received, theprocessing flow proceeds to step S1902. Then, the image formingapparatus (10, 20) transmits the profile corresponding to the near-linefinisher registered in the processing of FIGS. 12 and 18 to the hostcomputer (e.g., 1 or 2 of FIG. 1). In the present exemplary embodiment,only the profile corresponding to the user's registered finisher istransmitted. However, it is possible that all profiles includingnon-registered profiles held in the image forming apparatus can betransmitted.

According to the processing of FIG. 19, the profile of the operator'sregistered near-line finisher is transmitted to the host computer.However, the profiles of the near-line finisher and the in-line finisherheld in the image forming apparatus, or the profile of the finishersystem, can be transmitted in response to the profile acquiring requestof the host computer.

[Print Processing Flow]

FIG. 20 is a flowchart describing an exemplary print processing flow inthe image forming apparatus (10, 20) that receives a print job includingJDF (Job Definition Format), i.e. a job ticket, transmitted from thehost computer. The JDF is a kind of job ticket, i.e., a data filedescribing various processing information relating to a manuscript printorder. Of course, the job ticket type is not limited to JDF.

In step S2001, when the image forming apparatus (10, 20) receives aprint job, the job control section 800 interprets the JDF included inthe print job. Then, it is determined whether there is any processingcorresponding to the in-line finisher (refer to step S2002). When theprocessing corresponding to the in-line finisher is not included (i.e.,NO in step S2002), the processing flow proceeds to step S2004. On theother hand, when the processing corresponding to the in-line finisher isincluded (i.e., YES in step S2002), the processing flow proceeds to stepS2003. In step S2003, the job control section 800 interprets the JDFcorresponding to the in-line finisher.

Next, in step S2004, the job control section 800 interprets the JDF anddetermines whether there is any processing corresponding to thenear-line finisher. When the processing corresponding to the near-linefinisher is not included (i.e., NO in step S2004), the processing flowproceeds to step S2008. In the following two cases, there will be norequest for the near-line finisher. In one case, a user of the client PCissues a print job not using the near-line finisher. In the other case,the printer driver of the client PC directly transmits controlinformation for executing the post-processing, as a job ticket, to acorresponding near-line finisher.

On the other hand, when the processing corresponding to the near-linefinisher is included (i.e., YES in step S2004), the processing flowproceeds to step S2005. In step S2005, the job control section 800produces a job ID. Then, in step S2006, the job control section 800produces the JDF to be transmitted to the near-line finisher. In stepS2007, the job control section 800 transmits the job ID and the JDF tothe near-line finisher. In step S2008, the job control section 800controls the printer section 810 to execute a print operation.

In step S2009, it is determined whether there is any processingcorresponding to the in-line finisher. When the processing correspondingto the in-line finisher is not included (i.e., NO in step S2009), theprocessing flow proceeds to step S2011. On the other hand, when theprocessing corresponding to the in-line finisher is included (i.e., YESin step S2009), the processing flow proceeds to step S2010. Thus, thein-line finisher processing is executed as the post-processing appliedto the print obtained as a result of the print operation (refer to stepS2008).

On the other hand, when the processing corresponding to the in-linefinisher is not included (i.e., NO in step S2009), the processing flowproceeds to step S2011 without executing the processing of step S2010.In step S2011, it is determined whether there is any processingcorresponding to the near-line finisher. When the processingcorresponding to the near-line finisher is not included (i.e., NO instep S2011), the image forming apparatus terminates this routine. Whenthe processing corresponding to the near-line finisher is included(i.e., YES in step S2011), the processing flow proceeds to step S2012.In step S2012, the image forming apparatus produces and prints the jobID and a work instruction describing the processing procedure, for theprocessing in the corresponding near-line finisher and instruction forthe operator, before terminating this routine.

In this case, the printed job ID is identical with the job IDtransmitted to the near-line finisher in step S2007. An aspect of stepS2012 is to notify the operator of the near-line finisher to which theoperator should convey the printed product, after completing the printprocessing based on the print data, as well as the job ID to be enteredinto the near-line finisher.

[Processing in Finisher]

FIG. 27 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of thefinisher. As described previously, after accomplishing the printprocessing on the client PC, the printer driver of the client PCtransmits the JDF and the print data to the image forming apparatusselected by the operator. When the received JDF includes a processingrequest corresponding to the finisher, the image forming apparatustransmits the job control information to the finisher. In particular, inthe case of the near-line finisher, the image forming apparatustransmits the job ID and the job control information corresponding tothe near-line finisher. The near-line finisher receives the job ID andthe job control information and stores them in the storage device 902(refer to FIG. 9).

Hereinafter, the exemplary processing procedure of the near-linefinisher based on the job control information stored in the storagedevice 902 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27.First, in step S2701, the near-line finisher waits for an ID enteredfrom an operator. When the ID is entered (i.e., YES in step S2702), theprocessing flow proceeds to step S2703.

In step S2703, the near-line finisher (e.g., 21, 22 of FIG. 1) requeststhe job control section 800 of the image forming apparatus to transmit aJDF corresponding to the received ID, and obtains the JDF returned inresponse to the request. In step S2704, based on the contents of theJDF, the finisher automatically sets the parameters, such as a recordingpaper size, required for performing predetermined post-processing. Thus,the operator needs not to manually set the parameters based on aconventionally used printed procedure manual.

Next, in step S2705, the finisher controls a predetermined displaydevice to display the parameters to let the user confirm the settingcontents. The user confirms the displayed contents and depresses aprocessing start button of the finisher, if there is no problem. Thus,the finisher starts the processing according to the parameters set instep S2704. For example, if the designated finisher is a cuttingfinisher, the finisher starts a cutting operation according to thedetermined dimensions.

When there is any problem with the present settings (i.e., YES in stepS2706), the processing flow proceeds to step S2708 to request the userto manually set the parameters suitable for the near-line finisher. Whenthe automatically set parameters include no problem (i.e., NO in stepS2706), or after accomplishing the manual parameter settings in stepS2708, the processing flow proceeds to step S2707 to execute finishingprocessing.

If the use of plural near-line finishers is designated, theabove-described processing is performed similarly for the next near-linefinisher. As described above, using the finisher profiles in the systemarrangement of the exemplary embodiment enables the driver to use thefinisher functions regardless of the differences in the in-line,off-line, and near-line finishers.

[Processing relating to Addition of Near-line Finisher]

Next, exemplary processing in a case that another near-line finisher isnewly added to the image forming system will be described. FIG. 28 is adiagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of an image formingsystem, including a host computer 1 that includes a printer drivercontrolling an image forming apparatus 10, a paper feeding apparatus2803, and an in-line finisher 11. The in-line finisher 11, for example,has a middle stitch bookbinding function in addition to a staplingfunction and a punching function.

Furthermore, the image forming system of FIG. 28 includes a perfectbookbinding machine 2806 as a near-line finisher. The host computer 1,the image forming apparatus 10, and the near-line finisher (i.e.,perfect bookbinding machine) 2806 are connected to the network 100.

[Connection of Perfect Bookbinding Machine and Property InformationFile]

The operator can connect the perfect bookbinding machine (i.e.,near-line finisher) 2806 to the image forming system, according to theconnecting procedure of the near-line finisher described in FIGS. 15 to17. After finishing the connection procedure, the finisher profilestoring region 1505 of FIG. 15 stores a property information file (i.e.,property profile) that specifies the functions of the perfectbookbinding machine 2806. FIG. 29 exemplary shows the contents of theprofile of the perfect bookbinding machine 2806 stored in the finisherprofile storing region 1505.

In FIG. 29, a tag 2901 is an identifier indicating that the finisher isa perfect bookbinding machine. A tag 2902 shows a maker name of thefinisher, i.e., “ABC” according to the example. A tag 2903 shows aproduct name of the finisher, i.e., “NSB100” according to the example. Atag 2904 shows the processible book binding size of the perfect bookbinding machine 2806. The portion <MaxBookletDimensions> through</MaxBookletDimensions> shows a maximum size of the processible inputoriginal. According to the example, the maximum dimensions are 320mm×320 mm. Furthermore, the portion <MinBookletDimensions> through</MinBookletDimensions> shows a minimum size of the processing inputoriginal. According to the example, the minimum dimensions are 110mm×145 mm.

The description of tags 2905 and 2906 shows restriction informationrestricting the functions of the perfect bookbinding machine. Accordingto the property profile described according to the XML format, therestriction information can be describe by the tag <Restrictions> (2907)through the tag </Restrictions> (2908). The printer driver 505 canidentify the restriction information added in the property profile byrecognizing the tag.

The description of the tag 2905 shows the thickness of the inputoriginal processible in the perfect bookbinding machine 2806. Accordingto the example, the processible original thickness is in the range from1 mm to 55 mm. Furthermore, when the bookbinding machine performs aperfect binding operation, the produced book has an unreadable regionnear the spine of a book which cannot be perfectly uncovered andaccordingly cannot be read when a book is opened. The description of thetag 2906 shows the width of such an unreadable region. According to theexample, the unreadable width is 7 mm in each page.

[Display Control of User Interface]

The driver UI rearrangement application 512 installed in the hostcomputer 1 can obtain the finisher profile of the perfect bookbindingmachine 2806 from the image forming apparatus 10, and can add a functiondisplay item on the user interface (UI) screen based on the obtainedfinisher profile. Alternatively, the driver UI rearrangement application512 can change the setting contents of a function display item alreadydisplayed on the screen.

FIG. 39A is a flowchart schematically describing an exemplary displaycontrol flow of the user interface executed by the driver UIrearrangement application 512. First, in step S3901, the driver UIrearrangement application 512 obtains a property information file (i.e.,property profile) of the connected near-line finisher. Next, the driverUI rearrangement application 512 compares restriction information set inthe property file with the setting information of the printer driver(step S3902).

When the restriction information agrees with the setting information(i.e., YES in step S3903), the processing flow proceeds to step S3905.In step S3905, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 controls thedisplay of the user interface based on the setting information of theprinter driver. On the other hand, when the restriction information setin the property file disagrees with the setting information of theprinter driver (i.e., NO in step S3903), the processing flow proceeds tostep S3904. In step S3904, the driver UI rearrangement application 512controls the display of the user interface based on the restrictioninformation set in the property file.

The setting information of the printer driver is, for example,determined considering the in-line finisher, or the near-line finisher,to be connected to the image forming apparatus as initial conditions.However, the setting information of the printer driver is not limited tothe information restricting the functions of these finishers.

For example, if a different near-line finisher is later connected to theimage forming system, the restriction information in the finisherprofile of this finisher can be used as the reference to be compared instep S3902. In this case, the printer driver setting storing region 503can store, as setting information, the information restricting theprevious finisher function (settable range, numerical values,orientation of the document, page layout, etc.) In the processing ofstep S3902 in FIG. 39A, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 cancheck the setting information stored in the printer driver settingstoring region 503.

Furthermore, when plural near-line finishers having the same restrictioninformation are selectable, the driver UI rearrangement application 512can display a user interface that enables the operator to select adesirable near-line finisher (refer to FIG. 39B). The driver UIrearrangement application 512, for example, can display a user interface3940 that allows the operator to select a desirable near-line finisherconsidering the property of near-line finishers, information relating tothe operator's work region, and the information relating to thefrequency of operator's use or other operation history.

When the “priority to the processing capability” 3950 is selected by theoperator on the user interface 3940 shown in FIG. 39B, the driver UIrearrangement application 512 can select an optimum near-line finisherwith reference to the finisher profiles of respective finishers thatdescribe processing capabilities (e.g., processing speed, and processingcapacity).

Furthermore, when the “priority to work region” 3960 is selected by theoperator, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can select anoptimum near-line finisher so as to reduce the work time required forthe post-processing, based on the information (such as the installationplace of the near-line finisher) stored in the printer driver settingstoring region 503. For example, to reduce a shifting distance of theoperator, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can designate afinisher closest to the image forming apparatus that the operator isusing.

Furthermore, when the “priority to frequency of use” 3970 is selected bythe operator, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can select anoptimum near-line finisher based on the information relating to thecumulative frequency of use, for example, stored in the printer driversetting storing region 503.

The information processing apparatus (1, 2) displays a setting screenfor enabling the operator to perform the settings to control the printoutput of the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus(21, 22) (or including the finisher system 200) that executes thepost-processing for the printed products produced from the image formingapparatus (10, 20).

The information processing apparatus (1, 2) includes an acquiringsection, a comparing section, and a display control section. Theacquiring section can obtain the function information (e.g., 1311 inFIG. 13, 1404-1407 in FIG. 14, and 2905, 2906 in FIG. 29) showingpost-processing functions of the post-processing apparatus.

The comparing section can compare the function information obtained bythe acquiring section with the setting information of otherpost-processing apparatus (i.e., information showing post-processingfunctions of this post-processing apparatus). The display controlsection can change the setting screen based on the comparison result ofthe comparing section and can display the changed setting screen.

The driver UI rearrangement application 512 installed on the hostcomputer (1, 2) can operate, under the control of the OS 502, to executethe above-described functions of the acquiring section, the comparingsection, and the display control section.

FIG. 30 shows an exemplary finishing sheet 3001 of the user interface(UI) of the printer driver, in the condition that the driver UIrearrangement application 512 has not yet obtained the finisher profileof the perfect bookbinding machine 2806. Through the finishing sheet3001, an operator can set functions of the in-line finisher 11 (refer toFIGS. 1 and 28) directly connected to the image forming apparatus 1. Thein-line finisher 11 has a stapling function, a punching function, amiddle stitch bookbinding function, and a sheet cutting function forcutting the printed products along one side after finishing thebookbinding processing.

Regarding the bookbinding settings, the operator can set a “bookbindingprint” in the input field of the print method (refer to step 3002 inFIG. 30). Then, the operator can input a check mark in the setting fieldof the middle stitching function (refer to step 3003), to accomplish thesettings for the middle stitch bookbinding operation. The operator canuse a button 3005 that opens a dialog to perform bookbinding detailssettings when the “bookbinding print” is selected in the input field ofthe print method 3002. The contents of the bookbinding details settingdialog will be described later.

Next, according to the above-described procedure, the driver UIrearrangement application 512 obtains the finisher profile of theperfect bookbinding machine 2806 (i.e., the near-line finisher)connected to the network 100. This processing corresponds to step S3901of FIG. 39A.

The operator, for example, depresses a button 3004 of the UI finishingsheet 3001 to obtain the information relating to the deviceconfiguration, when the perfect bookbinding machine 2806 (i.e., thenear-line finisher) is newly connected to the network 100. In responseto the user's depression of the button 3004, the driver UI rearrangementapplication 512 can obtain a finisher profile of the perfect bookbindingmachine 2806 from the image forming apparatus 10, according to theprocessing described in FIGS. 5 and 24 that can acquire the finisherprofile including the information relating to the device configuration.

The timing for obtaining the finisher profile may be based on anoperator's instruction, and is not limited to the execution of theprocessing of FIG. 24. For example, the finisher profile can be obtainedwhen the finishing sheet 3001 of the user interface (UI) shown in FIG.30 is opened.

Through the processing shown in FIG. 24 that obtains the informationrelating to device configuration, the driver UI rearrangementapplication 512 can obtain the finisher profile of the post-processingapparatus (i.e., perfect bookbinding machine 2806) that is newlyconnected. The driver UI rearrangement application 512 can analyze thecontents of the obtained finisher profile and can control (or change)the display of the user interface (UI) based on the analysis. The driverUI rearrangement application 512 can discriminate a character string“Non-Stitch Booklet” contained in the tag 2901 of the finisher profile,and can recognize that this finisher is a perfect bookbinding machine.

With this recognition, the perfect binding is enabled in the case thatthe bookbinding print is selected as the print method. The driver UIrearrangement application 512 can add a perfect binding check box 3102on a printer driver's finishing sheet of the finishing sheet 3101 of theuser interface (UI) shown in FIG. 31. Thus, through the user interface(UI) of the printer driver 505, the operator can set the functions ofthe perfect bookbinding machine 2806 connected, as the near-linefinisher, to the image forming apparatus via the network 100.

Besides addition of the function item on the user interface (UI), thedriver UI rearrangement application 512 can control the display of theuser interface (UI) to change the contents of the screen based on therestriction information described below. The driver UI rearrangementapplication 512 retrieves, from the obtained finisher profile, the tags<Restriction> (2907) and </Restriction> (2908) that are restrictioninformation restricting the functions of the perfect bookbinding machine2806.

According to the finisher profile shown in FIG. 29, the description oftags 2905 and 2906 sandwiched between two tags 2907 and 2908 showsdetailed restriction information. For example, according to the perfectbinding bookbinding operation, the printed product has a binding portionwhich cannot be opened. Thus, the tag 2906 describes the unreadableregion as restriction information. According to the example, theunreadable region adjacent to the binding portion has a width of 7 mm.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary detailed bookbindingdialog 3201 for setting details of the bookbinding, displayed when themiddle stitch bookbinding 3003 is selected on the user interface (UI)screen shown in FIG. 30 and the bookbinding details setting button 3005is depressed. The detailed bookbinding dialog 3201 includes a settingportion 3202 for selecting “left-bound” or “right-bound” as abookbinding method and a setting portion 3203 for designating thebinding width of the bookbinding operation.

The binding width of the bookbinding operation defines a region on thepage where the image is formed (i.e., designating the margin to beprovided from the spine of a book (i.e., binding portion of thebookbinding). The binding width can be set in the units of millimeter.According to the example shown in FIG. 32, the binding width can be setin the range from 0 mm to 30 mm as default restriction information.According to the middle stitch bookbinding, a recording paper sheet isdouble folded and the stitching is applied to the folded portion. Thus,the minimum value of the binding width is set to 0 mm. Furthermore,although the example shows 30 mm as a practical value, there is nophysical restriction with respect to the maximum value of the bindingwidth.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary detailed bookbindingdialog 3301 for setting details of the bookbinding, displayed when theperfect binding bookbinding is selected on the user interface (UI) ofFIG. 31 and a bookbinding details setting button 3103 is depressed bythe operator. Setting items of the detailed bookbinding dialog 3301 aresimilar to those of the detailed bookbinding dialog 3201 shown in FIG.32. The detailed bookbinding dialog 3301 includes a setting portion 3302for selecting “left-bound” or “right-bound” as a book binding method anda setting portion 3303 for designating the binding width of thebookbinding operation

However, in this case, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 canobtain the finisher profile of the perfect bookbinding machine 2806, cancompare the contents of the restriction information being set in theobtained profile with the default restriction information of the userinterface (UI) of the printer driver 505 (corresponding to theprocessing of steps S3902 and S3903 in FIG. 39A), and can change thecontents of the user interface (UI) screen based on the restrictioninformation.

When the restriction information is different from the settinginformation, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can change thecontents of the user interface (UI) screen according to the contents ofthe restriction information set in the finisher profile (correspondingto the processing of step S3904 in FIG. 39A). In this case, according tothe restriction information (2906) that defines the unreadable range of7 mm adjacent to the spine of a book (i.e., the binding portion of thebookbinding), the display contents (binding width) of the user interface(UI) screen 3201 can be changed from the default setting range (0 mm to30 mm) (i.e., 3203 of FIG. 32) to a setting range based on therestriction information (7 mm to 30 mm) (i.e., 3303 of FIG. 33).

If the driver UI rearrangement application 512 permits the defaultsetting (0 mm to 30 mm) in a case that the perfect bookbinding machine2806 is designated to perform the perfect binding bookbinding, the imageformed on a recording paper sheet cannot be seen in the range of 0 mm to6 mm. Therefore, if the settings of the user interface (UI) areunconditionally accepted, the operation settings and the actualpost-processing result will contradict with each other when the settingscannot be realized in the actual perfect binding bookbinding processing.

To avoid such contradiction, the driver UI rearrangement application 512can change the default setting range (0 mm to 30 mm) to a new range (7mm to 30 mm) reflecting the restriction information, based on a bindingwidth range set as the restriction information (i.e.,<BookletUnReadableWidth.Length=“7 mm”/>: refer to tag 2906 in FIG. 29).According to the change of the setting range, the driver UIrearrangement application 512 can control the display of the userinterface (UI).

In the above-described example, only one near-line finisher is added andconnected. However, the driver UI rearrangement application 512installed on the host computer (1 or 2) can obtain finisher profiles ofplural near-line finishers (i.e., the middle stitch bookbinding machine31 and the paper folding machine 32) constituting the finisher system200 shown in FIG. 1. Then, the driver UI rearrangement application 512can compare the restriction information set in the obtained finisherprofiles with the default restriction information, and can control thedisplay of the user interface based on the comparison result.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, theoperator can easily perform the settings of a finisher withoutconfirming the connection state and restricted functions of thefinisher.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. FIG. 34 is a schematic diagramillustrating the arrangement of an image forming system in accordancewith the second exemplary embodiment. The image forming system of FIG.34 is different from the image forming system of FIG. 28 in that thenear-line finisher 2806 is replaced with a three-side sheet cuttingmachine 3406 that is connected to the network 100.

With respect to the connection of the three-side sheet cutting machine,the driver UI rearrangement application 512 performs the followingdisplay control. The connection of the near-line finisher in the presentexemplary embodiment can be performed according to the proceduredescribed in the first exemplary embodiment.

[Connection of Three-Side Sheet Cutting Machine and Property InformationFile]

The operator can connect the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406(i.e., the near-line finisher) to the image forming system, according tothe procedure of FIGS. 15 to 17 described in the first exemplaryembodiment. After accomplishing the connecting procedure, the finisherprofile storing region 1505 shown in FIG. 15 can store the propertyinformation file (i.e., profile) that specifies the functions of thethree-side sheet cutting machine 3406. FIG. 35 shows exemplary contentsof the profile of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406 stored inthe finisher profile storing region 1505.

In FIG. 35, a tag 3501 is an identifier indicating that the finisher isa three-side sheet cutting machine. A tag 3502 shows a maker name of thefinisher, i.e., “ABC” according to the example. A tag 3503 shows aproduct name of the finisher, i.e., “ABC CUT 100” according to theexample. A tag 3504 shows the processible input/output size of thethree-side sheet cutting machine 3406. The portion <MaxInputDimensions>through </MaxInputDimensions> shows a maximum size of the settable inputprinted product. According to the example, the maximum dimensions are330 mm×330 mm. Furthermore, the portion <MinOutputDimensions> through</MinOutputDimensions> shows a minimum cutting size of the printedproduct. According to the example, the minimum dimensions are 100 mm×142mm.

The description of a tag 3508 shows restriction information restrictingthe functions of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406. Thedescription of the tag 3505 shows the information relating to thethickness of the input original processible in the three-side sheetcutting machine 3406. According to the example, the processiblethickness is equal to or less than 50 mm. The description of a tag 3506shows a minimum cutting width of the three-side sheet cutting machine3406. According to the example, the processible minimum cutting width is3 mm in both X and Y directions. The description of a tag 3507 shows amaximum cutting width of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406.According to the example, the processible minimum thickness is 230 mm inthe X direction and 94 mm in the Y direction.

[Display Control of User Interface]

The driver UI rearrangement application 512 installed on the hostcomputer 1 can obtain the finisher profile of the three-side sheetcutting machine 3406 from the image forming apparatus 10, and can add afunction display item on the user interface (UI) screen based on theobtained finisher profile, or can change the setting contents of afunction display item.

The finishing sheet screen of the printer driver's user interface (UI)is similar to the screen shown in FIG. 30 described in the firstexemplary embodiment, before the driver UI rearrangement application 512obtains the finisher profile of the three-side sheet cutting machine3406.

Through the finishing sheet screen 3001 of the user interface (UI) shownin FIG. 30, the user can set the functions of the in-line finisher 11connected to the image forming apparatus 10. The in-line finisher 11 hasa stapling function, a punching function, a middle stitch bookbindingfunction, and a sheet cutting function for cutting one side of theprinted products after finishing the bookbinding operation.

The settings relating to the sheet cutting include a print methodsetting 3002 and a middle stitch setting 3003. The sheet cuttingoperation is feasible only when the middle stitch is selected in thebookbinding print. Thus, the settings for the sheet cutting operationcannot be displayed by only selecting the bookbinding print in the printmethod input field 3002 on the finishing sheet screen 3001.

FIG. 36 shows an exemplary finishing sheet 3601 displayed when under“print method:” 3602 (where “bookbinding print” has been selected), themiddle stitch 3603 is also selected on the finishing sheet 3001 fromFIG. 30. In particular, check mark 3603, entered in the check boxdesignating the middle stitch, indicates that the middle stitch isdesignated (i.e., ON state). When the check box is in an ON state, theoperator can perform the settings for the sheet cutting operation. Onthe finishing sheet 3601, the operator can select a cutting type in acheck box 3604 and can set a cutting width in an input field 3605. Thecutting width setting field 3605 allows the operator to set a desirablecutting width in the range of 5 mm to 30 mm, which is given as a defaultsetting range corresponding to the in-line finisher 11.

Next, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 obtains the finisherprofile of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406 which is connectedto the network 100. The operator, for example, depresses a button 3606of the UI finishing sheet 3601 to obtain the information relating to thedevice configuration, when the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406(i.e., the near-line finisher) is newly connected to the network 100. Inresponse to the user's depression of the button 3606, the driver UIrearrangement application 512 can obtain the finisher profile of thethree-side sheet cutting machine 3406 from the image forming apparatus10, according to the processing described in FIGS. 5 and 24 that canacquire the finisher profile including the information relating to thedevice configuration.

The timing for obtaining the finisher profile is based on an operator'sinstruction, and is not limited to the execution of the processing ofFIG. 24. For example, the finisher profile can be obtained when thefinishing sheet 3601 of the user interface (UI) shown in FIG. 36 isopened.

Through the processing shown in FIG. 24 that obtains the informationrelating to device configuration, the driver UI rearrangementapplication 512 can obtain the finisher profile of the post-processingapparatus (i.e., three-side sheet cutting machine 3406) that is newlyconnected.

The driver UI rearrangement application 512 can analyze the contents ofthe obtained finisher profile and can control (or change) the display ofthe user interface (UI) based on the analysis. The driver UIrearrangement application 512 can discriminate a character string“3-side Cutter” contained in the tag 3501 of the finisher profile, andcan recognize that this finisher is a three-side sheet cutting machine.With this recognition, the cutting is enabled in the case that thebookbinding print is selected as the print method and further the middlestitch is selected. The driver UI rearrangement application 512 can addradio buttons 3703, that allows the operator to select a cutting method,on a printer driver's finishing sheet of the finishing sheet 3701 of theuser interface (UI) shown in FIG. 37.

The operator can select a radio button 3703-1 when no sheet cuttingoperation is necessary. The operator can select a radio button 3703-2when a one-side sheet cutting operation is necessary. When the radiobutton 3703-2 is selected, the in-line finisher 11 is designated as apost-processing machine. The operator can select a radio button 3703-3when a three-side sheet cutting operation is necessary. When the radiobutton 3703-3 is selected, the near-line finisher (i.e., three-sidesheet cutting machine 3406) is designated as a post-processing machine.

Furthermore, the finishing sheet 3701 allows the operator to set a sheetcutting width for each of a long side cutting 3704, an upper sidecutting 3705, and a lower side cutting 3706.

When the “one-side sheet cutting” 3703-2 is selected by the operator,the driver UI rearrangement application 512 enables the cutting width3704 as a selectable cutting width of the long side cutting operation.In this case, the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can control(or change) the display for the cutting width 3705 of the upper sidecutting operation and the cutting width 3706 of the lower side cuttingoperation. For example, the display can be differentiated by usingmasking or the like.

According to the example, the range (5 mm to 30 mm) of the cutting width3704 for the long side cutting operation is based on the default settinginformation. The range (3 mm to 94 mm) of the cutting width 3705 for theupper side cutting and the range (3 mm to 94 mm) of the cutting width3706 for the lower side cutting are based on the settings of restrictioninformation (i.e., <Minimum Cutting Length.Y Y=“3 mm”/, <Maximum CuttingLength.Y Y=“94 mm”/> (refer to tags 3506 and 3507 in FIG. 35)). If theprint is performed based on the settings shown in FIG. 37, thebookbinding print and the middle stitch are successively performed andfinally the pages of the book are cut along their long sides by thewidth of 5 mm.

When the “three-side sheet cutting” 3703-3 is selected by the operator,the driver UI rearrangement application 512 can control the display ofthe user interface (UI) so as to change respective cutting width settingranges, based on the restriction information included in the finisherprofile of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406.

FIG. 38 shows an exemplary user interface (UI) displayed when thesetting range of the cutting width 3804 for the long side cutting ischanged based on the contents of the restriction information containedin the finisher profile of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406.Here, the finishing sheer 3801 is similar to the finishing sheet 3701 ofthe user interface (UI) shown in FIG. 37.

The driver UI rearrangement application 512 compares the setting (3 mmto 230 mm) of the cutting range in the X direction corresponding to thelong side, as the restriction information included in the finisherprofile of the three-side sheet cutting machine 3406, with the cuttingrange (5 mm to 30 mm) for the one-side sheet cutting operation set asthe default settings corresponding to the in-line finisher 11, andchanges the contents of the user interface (UI) based on the restrictioninformation.

If the near-line finisher (i.e., the three-side sheet cutting machine3406) starts its operation without changing the settings of the cuttingrange (5 mm to 30 mm) that are set for the in-line finisher, the cuttingoperation will not be performed when the printed products exceeding therange of 5 mm to 30 mm. Thus, the settings and the actualpost-processing will contradict with each other.

To avoid such contradiction, based on the restriction informationrelating to the cutting range in the X direction corresponding to thelong side (i.e., <Minimum Cutting Length.X X=“3 mm”/>, <Maximum CuttingLength.X X=“230 mm”/>: refer to tags 3506 and 3507 in FIG. 35), thedriver UI rearrangement application 512 changes the default settingrange (5 mm to 30 mm) to a new range (3 mm to 230 mm) reflecting therestriction information, and controls the display of the user interface(UI).

Regarding the cutting widths of the upper side and the lower side (referto steps 3705 and 3706 in FIG. 38), the sheet cutting ranges are alreadydisplayed based on the restriction information. Therefore, the displaycontents need not be changed. When the three-side sheet cutting 3703-3is selected as the sheet cutting method, the driver UI rearrangementapplication 512 controls the display with respect to the cutting widthsof the upper side and the lower side based on the restrictioninformation included in the finisher profile. Thus, no contradictionoccurs in the relationship between the setting values and thepost-processing. The display control for newly changing the cuttingrange is unnecessary.

According to the example of FIG. 38, the cutting width of the long sideis 12 mm, and the cutting widths of the upper side and the lower sideare 10 mm. If the print is performed based on the above settings, thebookbinding print and the middle stitch are successively performed whilethe information relating to the cutting widths is transmitted to thethree-side sheet cutting machine 3406 according to the above-describedprocedure. Subsequently, the operator delivers the printed products fromthe image forming apparatus 10 to the three-side sheet cutting machine3406. The three-side sheet cutting machine 3406 can perform a cuttingoperation based on the transmitted information relating to the cuttingwidths.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the operator can easilyperform the settings of a finisher without confirming the connectionstate and restricted functions of the finisher.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement ofan image forming system in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment.The image forming system of FIG. 40 includes an image forming apparatus4001, a paper folding machine 4002, a sheet cutting machine 4003, amiddle stitching machine 4004, and a casing-in bookbinding machine 4005.The paper folding machine 4002, the sheet cutting machine 4003, themiddle stitching machine 4004, and the casing-in bookbinding machine4005 can operate as near-line finishers. Besides the near-line finishersshown in FIG. 40, the image forming apparatus 4001 can communicateaccording to predetermined protocol with other near-line finishers, suchas a stapler, a drilling machine, an inserting machine, and a collator,which are connected to a network 4006.

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the imageforming apparatus 4001 in accordance with the third exemplaryembodiment. The image forming apparatus 4001 includes a scanner section4102, a laser exposing section 4103, an image forming section 4104, afixing portion 4105, a paper feed/conveyance section 4106, a job controlsection 4107 controlling these sections, and an operating section 4108for operation settings.

FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation inputsection 4108 of the image forming apparatus 4001. The operation inputsection 4108 includes a touch panel section 4201 and a key input section4202. FIG. 43 is an exemplary diagram illustrating details of the keyinput section 4202. FIG. 44 is an exemplary diagram illustrating detailsof the touch panel section 4201.

The key input section 4202 shown in FIG. 43 includes an operatingsection power switch 4301 provided for switching between a standby mode(i.e., normal operating condition) and a sleep mode (according to whichthe main controller stops the program and waits for an interruptrelating to the network print or the facsimile, to save the electricpower consumption). The key input section 4202 can be controlled whenthe power switch for the entire system is in an ON state.

When the power saving key 4302, i.e., a control key for suppressingpower consumption, is depressed, the control temperature of the fixingunit in the standby mode can be reduced, although a longer time isrequired to reach a printing condition. The power saving key 4302 can bemodified so as to decrease the control temperature according to a powersaving rate.

A start key 4303 is a control key that enables the operator to instructstart of a copy or a transmission. A stop key 4304 is a control key thatenables the operator to interrupt the operation. A ten key 4312 is acontrol key that enables the operator to perform various settings. Aclear key 4313 is a control key that enables the operator to cancelvarious settings. An ID key 4314 is a control key that enables theoperator to input a password number to acquire authorization to use theimage forming apparatus 4001.

A reset key 4305 is a control key that enables the operator to returnthe settings to the default conditions. A help key 4306 is a control keythat enables the operator to display a guidance or help message. A usermode key 4307 is a control key that enables the operator to shift to auser's own system setting screen. A counter confirmation key 4308 is acontrol key that enables the operator to display a total number ofprinted products based on the data memorized in a soft counter providedin the image forming apparatus 4001 that can count a print number. Forexample, the number of output prints can be displayed according to anoperation mode (e.g., copy/print/scan/fax), a color mode (e.g.,color/monochrome), or a paper size (large/small).

An image contrast dial 4309 is a dial that enables the operator toadjust the visibility of the screen by changing the intensity of abacklight equipped for the liquid crystal display in the touch panelsection. An execution/memory lamp 4310 is a lamp that flickers duringthe execution of a job or during access to the memory to notify theoperator of it. An error lamp 4311 is a lamp that flickers when no jobcan be executed or when an error (such as a service person call) occurs,or to notify a jam or shortage of expendable supplies.

FIG. 44 shows an exemplary touch panel display including an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display: liquid crystal display section) and transparentelectrodes provided thereon. When the operator touches a transparentelectrode corresponding to a key displayed on the LCD, an relatedoperation screen can be displayed. FIG. 44 shows an initial screen inthe standby mode. Various operation screens can be displayed inaccordance with setting operations.

A copy tab 4401 is a tab key that enables the operator to transit to anoperation screen for the copy action. A transmit tab 4402 is a tab keythat enables the operator to transit to an operation screen forinstructing a transmission (Send) action, such as fax or electronic mail(E-mail) transmission. A box tab 4403 is a tab key that enables theoperator to transit to a screen for inputting/outputting a job into abox (i.e., a job storing unit provided for each user). An option tab4404 is a tab key that enables the operator to set optional function,such as scanner settings. A system monitor key 4409 is a key thatenables the operator to display the conditions of the image formingapparatus 4001. By selecting each tab, the operator can transit to eachoperation mode.

A color select setting key 4418 is a key that enables the operator toselect a color copy, a monochrome copy, or an automatic selection. Acopy ratio setting key 4415 is a key that enables the operator totransit to a setting screen on which the operator can perform copy ratiosettings (e.g., direct, enlarge, and reduce). A post-processing settingkey 4414 is a key that enables the operator to transit to a stapling orpunching setting screen on which the operator can designate the number,position, etc.

Furthermore, a two-sided setting key 4412 is a key that enables theoperator to transit to a setting screen on which the operator can selecteither one-sided print or two-sided print. A paper size setting key 4411is a key that enables the operator to transit to a setting screen onwhich the operator can select a paper feeding tray, a paper size, and amedia type. An image mode setting key 4407 is a key that enables theoperator to select an image mode suitable for the original image, suchas a text mode or a photograph mode. A density setting key 4406 is a keythat enables the operator to adjust the density of an output image.

Next, a status display section 4417 performs a simplified displayindicating the current status, such as a standby condition, a warming-upcondition, a jam, and an error. A copy ratio display section 4416displays a copy ratio set by the operator through the copy ratio settingkey 4415. A paper size display section 4410 displays the paper size andthe mode set by the operator through the paper size setting key 4411. Acopy number display section 4405 displays the copy number designated bythe operator through the ten key or displays a momentary copy number.Furthermore, an interrupt key 4413 can be used to interrupt the copyaction to execute another job. A special feature key 4408 is a key thatenables the operator to perform the settings for continuous pagecopying, front page/assembled pages, reduced layout, image shift, etc.

The image forming apparatus 4001 has functions similar to those of theimage forming apparatus described in the first exemplary embodiment withreference to FIG. 8. More specifically, the job control section 4107 ofFIG. 41 (corresponding to the job control section 800 in FIG. 8) cancontrol various functional sections to execute a print job produced bythe host computer. In this case, the job control section 4107 cancommunicate via the NIC section 803 (refer to FIG. 8) with the near-linefinisher (e.g., the sheet cutting machine 4003, or the middle stitchbookbinding machine 4004 shown in FIG. 40) that is connected to thenetwork 4006, to obtain the information (i.e., finisher profile)specifying a near-line finisher function. The job control section 4107can reflect the contents of the finisher profile to the user interface(UI) used for the post-processing of printed products.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of anear-line finisher 4500. The near-line finisher 4500 can control start,interruption, and completion of the processing based on an instructionfrom a finisher control section 4516. The finisher control section 4516is connected to the network 4006 (refer to FIG. 40). The finishercontrol section 4516 has a communication function (i.e., datatransmission/reception function) for receiving the data form an externaldevice (e.g., the image forming apparatus 4001 or the host computerconnected to the network 4006) and transmitting the data to the externaldevice.

The printed products (i.e., stacked sheets) disposes on a paper feedtray (hereinafter, simply referred to as “sheets”) are conveyed alongthe path in the near-line finisher 4500 when the near-line finisher 4500starts the processing. The near-line finisher 4500 is equipped with asample tray 4501 and a stack tray 4502 which can be selectively usedaccording to a job type or a copy number of discharged sheets.

There are two sorting methods. One method is a bin sorting method forsorting the output sheets to plural bins. The other method is a shiftsorting method for sorting the output sheets for each job using anelectronic sorting function. Using a large-capacity memory equipped inthe control section 4516 can support an electronic sorting function byusing a so-called collating function that can change the buffered pageorder and the discharge order.

Furthermore, when the stapling mode is set for the job to be output, thefinisher control section 4516 controls the near-line finisher 4500 todischarge the sheets to the stack tray 4502. In this case, before thesheets are discharged to the stack tray 4502, the sheets can besuccessively stored for each job in a processing tray provided in thefinisher and can be bound on the processing tray by a stapler. Thus,each bundle of recording paper sheets can be discharged to the stacktray 4502.

Furthermore, according to a job type, a Z folding machine 4503 can foldthe sheets into a Z shape and a puncher 4504 can open two (or three)filing holes. For example, when the operator sets the Z foldingprocessing through the operation input section 4108 as the settingsrelating to the sheet processing for a job to be output, the finishercontrol section 4516 controls the Z folding machine 4503 to execute thefolding processing for the sheets corresponding to the job. Then, thesheets are conveyed along the path in the finisher and discharged to adesignated tray, i.e., to the stack tray 4502 or to the sample tray4501.

Furthermore, when the operator sets the punching processing through theoperation input section 4108 as the settings relating to the sheetprocessing corresponding to a job to be output, the finisher controlsection 4516 controls the puncher 4504 to execute the punchingprocessing for the sheets corresponding to the job. Then, the sheets areconveyed along the path in the finisher and discharged to a designatedtray, for example, to the stack tray 4502 or to the sample tray 4501.

Furthermore, when the operator sets the saddle stitching processingthrough the operation input section 4108 as the settings relating to thesheet processing corresponding to a job to be output, the finishercontrol section 4516 controls a saddle stitcher 4505 to execute thesaddle stitching processing for the sheets corresponding to the job. Thesaddle stitcher 4505 can bind the sheets at two central portions, andcan fold the sheets fixed along the center line with a roller into abooklet (e.g., a pamphlet), thereby accomplishing the bookbindingprocessing. The booklet produced by the saddle stitcher 4505 isdischarged to a booklet tray 4506.

Furthermore, an inserter 4514 can directly deliver a sheet placed in aninsert tray 4513 to a designated discharge tray (e.g., to the stack tray4502 and sample tray 4501) without sending it into the printer. In otherwords, the inserter 4514 can insert a sheet placed in the insert tray4513 between the sheets sent to the in-line finisher (i.e., the sheetsprinted in the printer section). Usually, the operator puts the sheetsin a face-up condition in the insert tray 4513 of the inserter 4514. Apickup roller provided in the insert tray 4513 can feed an uppermostsheet of the sheets stacked in the insert tray 4513. Therefore, a sheetfed from the inserter 4514 is discharged in a face-down condition to thestack tray 4502 or to the sample tray 4501.

When a sheet is conveyed to the saddle stitcher 4505, the finishercontrol section 4516 can once deliver the sheet toward the puncher 4504and then let the sheet switch a moving direction back to the saddlestitcher 4505, so that the face direction of the sheet can be adjustedas intended (i.e., a face-up condition or face-down condition). Thefinisher control section 4516 controls the inserter 4514 to execute theabove-described sheet inserting processing based on an operator'sinstruction entered through the operation input section 4108.

A trimmer 4509 (i.e., sheet cutting machine) receives the booklet (i.e.,a middle stitched output) from the saddle stitcher 4505. A roller of thetrimmer 4509 feeds the received booklet by a predetermined length to cutthe edges of respective pages of the booklet in a cutter section 4507.As a result, the booklet has pages having uniformly trimmed edges. Then,the trimmed booklet is stored in a booklet holding section 4508. Thefinisher control section 4516 controls the trimmer 4509 to execute theabove-described sheet cutting processing based on an operator'sinstruction entered through the operation input section 4108.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary initial screen of theoperation input section 4108 in the image forming apparatus 4001according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 47 is a diagramillustrating an exemplary screen displayed in the operation inputsection 4108 of the image forming apparatus 4001, when a near-linefinisher is connected to the network 4006. When the near-line finisher4500 is connected to the network 4006, the job control section 4107 ofthe image forming apparatus 4001 controls the operation input section4108 to display a finisher setting button 4701 on its display screen.When the finisher setting button 4701 is selected, the job controlsection 4107 displays a screen for performing various settingscorresponding to the near-line finisher.

FIG. 48 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a finisher setting screencontrolled by the job control section 4107 when the finisher settingbutton 4701 shown in FIG. 47 is depressed. The operator of the imageforming apparatus 4001 can perform various settings of the near-linefinisher by depressing function setting buttons 4801 (recording papersize), 4802 (recording medium type), 4803 (one-sided or two-sided), and4806 (binding width) displayed on the screen. A cancel button 4804 is abutton that enables the operator to cancel the setting contents. Asetting completion button 4805 is a button that enables the operator tofix the setting contents.

FIG. 49 shows exemplary contents of a finisher profile describing theinformation relating to near-line finisher functions. The finisherprofile, described according to the XML format, includes a tag 4901showing finisher functions (including a saddle stitching function(Saddle-Stitch), a booklet function (Booklet), a stapling function(Staple), and a job shifting function (Job Shift)). A tag 4902 shows afinisher maker. A tag 4903 shows a finisher's product name. A region4904 describes finisher capability (performance) corresponding torespective finisher functions. A region 4905 describes control commandsfor controlling the finisher.

FIG. 50 shows exemplary contents of a finisher connection managementtable 5001 used for managing a connection state of the finisher. Thefinisher connection management table 5001 stores the information offinishers connectable to the image forming apparatus 4001. The finisherconnection management table 5001 includes, as registered items, amanagement number 5002 (variable type is Unsigned Short), a finishername 5003 (variable type is String), a maker name 5004 (variable type isString), a corresponding profile's profile name 5005 (variable type isString), and a finisher's connection state 5006 (variable type isBoolean, “false” represents a disconnected state, and “true” representsa connected state)

According to the table, when the management number 5002 is #5, thefinisher name 5003 is “Finisher-X”, the maker name 5004 is “XYZ”corporation, the corresponding profile's profile name 5005 is“finisher-x-of-xyz.xml”, and the finisher's connection state 5006 is“true (i.e., connected)” (see reference numeral 5007). Similarly, theinformation corresponding to each management number 5002 can be knownfrom the finisher connection management table 5001. According to theexample of FIG. 50, only the finisher having the management number #5 isconnected to the image forming apparatus 4001 (i.e., in a connectedstate.

FIG. 51 is an exemplary finisher capability management table 5100 formanaging the capability of each finisher registered in the finisherconnection management table 5001 described in FIG. 50. To avoid anycontradiction between the functions of the finisher and the functions ofthe image forming apparatus, the job control section 4107 of the imageforming apparatus 4001 determines whether the image forming apparatus4001 has the print output capability for executing the post-processingusing the near-line finisher. If there is a finisher that can utilizethe print output of the image forming apparatus 4001 without anycontradiction (based on the judgment result), the job control section4107 of the image forming apparatus 4001 registers the functions of thisfinisher to the finisher capability management table shown in FIG. 51.

The finisher connection management table 5100 includes a name field 5101describing a character string showing a finisher name, a function field5102 describing IDs or character strings showing finisher functions, anda layout field 5103 describing the number of pages to be disposed perrecording paper sheet that is required when the finisher functions areused. For example, when the post-processing includes the saddle stitch,the image forming apparatus 4001 must perform printing in considerationof the page layout and the page order suitable for the saddle stitch.

Furthermore, the finisher connection management table 5100 includes aspec field 5104 showing the capability (performance) corresponding tothe finisher functions, and a control command field 5105 showing controlcommands used in various settings of the finisher. To realize a remotecontrol of the finisher, the job control section 4107 of the imageforming apparatus 4001 can transmit the control commands to thefinisher.

FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary saddle stitchingperformed as an example of the post-processing, in which 5201 indicatesa sheet cutting line along which the pages are cut and 5202 indicatesthe spine of a book where the pages are folded. FIGS. 53A and 53B areviews illustrating the page layout and the output page order that theimage forming apparatus must conform in the saddle stitching operation.FIG. 53A shows a left-bound page layout, while FIG. 53B shows aright-bound page layout. As shown in FIGS. 53A and 53B, two pages ofdata are disposed at the front and rear surfaces of each recording papersheet. To perform the post-processing using the saddle stitchingfunction, the image forming apparatus 4001 must have an image formingfunction for successively disposing two pages of image data on a frontsurface and a rear surface of each recording paper sheet according to apredetermined page order.

FIGS. 54 through 57 are flowcharts describing exemplary procedures,performed when the image forming apparatus establishes a connection witha near-line finisher newly connected to the network 4006, transmits thecontrol commands to the near-line finisher, and executes thepost-processing for the printed products.

The image forming apparatus 4001, controlling the post-processingapparatus (e.g., 4002 to 4005 in FIG. 40) connected to the network 4006and having an image forming unit configured to perform the print outputprocessing, includes an acquiring section, a judging section, and adisplay control section. The acquiring section can obtain functioninformation (e.g., the finisher profile shown in FIG. 49) showingpost-processing functions of the post-processing apparatus.

The judging section can determine, based on the obtained functioninformation, whether the image forming unit can execute the print outputenabling the post-processing using the post-processing apparatus. Thedisplay control section can control the operation input section 4108 todisplay a setting screen on its display section for performing an inputoperation for controlling post-processing functions to use thepost-processing apparatus, when the judging section determines that theimage forming unit can execute the print output.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 4001 includes a registeringsection that can register, into the finisher connection management table5001 and to a finisher capability management table 5100, the informationrelating to a post-processing apparatus that can be designated as thepost-processing apparatus, including functions obtained from thefinisher profile, capability corresponding to the functions, and controlcommands for controlling the post-processing apparatus, when the judgingsection determines that the image forming unit can execute the printoutput.

The job control section 4107 of the image forming apparatus 4001 canfunction as the above-described acquiring section, the judging section,the display control section, and the registering section, and canexecute the processing of these sections.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart describing a processing flow of the near-linefinisher and the image forming apparatus 4001, performed when thenear-line finisher is connected to the image forming system. First, instep S5401, when the near-line finisher is connected to the network4006, the near-line finisher transmits to the image forming apparatus4001 a connection signal showing that the near-line finisher isconnected to the network 4006.

In step S5402, the job control section 4107 of the image formingapparatus 4001 determines whether the connection signal transmitted fromthe near-line finisher is received via the NIC section 803. When noconnection signal is received (i.e., NO in step S5402), the job controlsection 4107 continues a standby condition to repeat the judgment ofstep S5402. When the connection signal is received (i.e., YES in stepS5402), the processing flow proceeds to step S5403. In step S5403, thejob control section 4107 of the image forming apparatus 4001 requeststhe near-line finisher to transmit the information specifying thefunctions (i.e., finisher profile).

In step S5404, in response to a request of the image forming apparatus4001, the near-line finisher transmits the finisher profile under acontrol of the finisher control section 4516. In step S5405, the jobcontrol section 4107 determines whether the finisher profile of thenear-line finisher is received. When no finisher profile is received(i.e., NO in step S5405), the processing flow proceeds to step S5411 toperform error processing.

On the other hand, when the finisher profile of the near-line finisheris received (i.e., YES in step S5405), the processing flow proceeds tostep S5406. In step S5406, the job control section 4107 reads, from thereceived finisher profile, the finisher function 4901, the maker name4902, the product name 4903, the capability (performance) 4904corresponding to respective finisher functions, and the control command4905 controlling the finisher.

In step S5407, the job control section 4107 determines whether the imageforming apparatus 4001 has the print output capability for executing thepost-processing using the near-line finisher. For example, when thenear-line finisher having a saddle stitching function is used to performthe post-processing, the job control section 4107 must control theprinting of two pages of image disposed on the front and rear pages ofeach recording paper sheet (refer to FIGS. 52, 53A and 53B). Morespecifically, when the image forming apparatus 4001 cannot print twopages of image disposed on the front and rear pages of each recordingpaper sheet in the predetermined page order, the newly connectednear-line finisher cannot be used (i.e., NO in step S5407).

Thus, the job control section 4107 skips step S5408. In this case, thenear-line finisher's functions unavailable by the image formingapparatus 4001 are not registered in the finisher capability managementtable (FIG. 51). On the other hand, when the newly connected near-linefinisher can be used (i.e., YES in step S5407), the processing flowproceeds to step S5408. In step S5408, the job control section 4107registers the functions of the near-line finisher as well as the controlcommands corresponding to the functions in the finisher capabilitymanagement table (FIG. 51).

The job control section 4107, to obtain the print output processible inthe post-processing apparatus, controls the display of the settingscreen by adding the buttons (e.g., 4701 in FIG. 47, or 4801-4803, and4806 in FIG. 48), or changing them. For example, the informationrelating to the unreadable region (for example, a 7 mm range from thebinding portion) in the bookbinding operation may be set as thecapability information designated in the finisher profile. In such acase, the job control section 4107 can reflect the detailed informationrelating to the near-line finisher functions (e.g., recording papersize, type, one-sided/two-sided, etc.) to the setting screen controllingthe print output of the image forming apparatus.

In this case, if the information of the newly connected near-linefinisher is different from the information already registered as theinitial setting information or the setting values of other finisher, thejob control section 4107 can control (or change) the display of thesetting screen (i.e., user interface) controlling the print output ofthe image forming apparatus based on the information relating to thecapability of the newly connected near-line finisher.

For example, the binding width “0” mm may be set as an initial settingvalue of the in-line finisher 4011. In this case, if the middle stitchbookbinding machine (i.e., near-line finisher) produces a print outputwith the initially set binding width, each page will have an unreadableregion where no image can be read or seen. Thus, the setting values andthe print output result contradict with each other. To avoid suchcontradiction, the job control section 4107 controls (changes) thedisplay of the input field 4809 from the initial setting value “0” mm toan updated value “7” mm based on the capability information contained inthe finisher profile.

Still referring to FIG. 54, in step S5409, the job control section 4107determines whether the functions and the finisher capability and thecontrol commands relating to the functions have been completely read outof the finisher profile. When there is a function, or related capabilityor control command (i.e., NO in step S5409), the processing flow returnsto step S5406. The job control section 4107 reads the remaining finisherfunction as well as related finisher capability and control command(s),and determines whether the image forming apparatus 4001 has the printoutput capability for executing the post-processing using the near-linefinisher.

When the functions and the finisher capability and the control commandsrelating to the functions have been completely read out of the finisherprofile (i.e., YES in step S5409), the processing flow proceeds to stepS5410. In step S5410, the job control section 4107 registers the“finisher name”, the “profile name”, or the like of the newly connectednear-line finisher in the finisher connection management table (FIG.50).

In the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 54, the job controlsection 4107 can bring the image forming apparatus 4001 into a standbycondition (refer to step S5402 in FIG. 54), i.e., a condition forwaiting a connection of the near-line finisher, upon power supply to theimage forming apparatus 4001, and can start the processing of step S5403in response to the reception of a connection signal.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of thejob control section 4107 that controls the display of the operationinput section 4108 of the image forming apparatus 4001. First, in stepS5501, the job control section 4107 controls the touch panel section4201 to display the screen shown in FIG. 46. Next, in step S5502, thejob control section 4107 determines whether the finisher is registeredin the finisher connection management table 5001. When the finisher isnot registered (i.e., NO in step S5502), the job control section 4107terminates this routine without changing the contents of the screenshown in FIG. 46.

On the other hand, when the finisher is registered in the finisherconnection management table 5001 (i.e., YES in step S5502), theprocessing flow proceeds to step S5503. In step S5503, the job controlsection 4107 adds the finisher setting button 4701 on the screen asshown in FIG. 47 before terminating this routine.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing flow of theimage forming apparatus 4001, performed when the operator depresses thefinisher setting button 4701 (refer to FIG. 47) which is added in theprocessing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 55.

First, in step S5601, the job control section 4107 determines whetherthe information relating to the finisher function (i.e., functioninformation) is registered in the finisher capability management table5100. When the finisher function information is not registered in thefinisher capability management table 5100 (i.e., NO in step S5601), thejob control section 4107 terminates this routine. On the other hand,when the finisher function information is registered in the finishercapability management table 5100 (i.e., YES in step S5601), theprocessing flow proceeds to step S5602.

In step S5602, the job control section 4107 controls the touch panelsection 4201 to display the function setting buttons 4801 to 4803 (referto FIG. 48) that enables the operator to input the setting valuescorresponding to the finisher functions. In step S5603, the job controlsection 4107 determines whether any function setting button isdepressed. When there is a function setting button depressed (i.e., YESin step S5603), the processing flow proceeds to step S5604. In stepS5604, the job control section 4107 enables the function(s) that theoperator has set through the function setting button (refer to stepS5604).

In step S5605, the job control section 4107 determines whether thecancel button 4804 shown in FIG. 48 is depressed. When the cancel button4804 is depressed (i.e., YES in step S5605), the job control section4107 terminates this routine. On the other hand, when the cancel button4804 is not depressed (i.e., NO in step S5605), the processing flowproceeds to step S5606.

In step S5606, the job control section 4107 determines whether thesetting completion button 4805 shown in FIG. 48 is depressed. When thesetting completion button 4805 is not depressed (i.e., NO in stepS5606), the function(s) enabled by the operator through the functionsetting button(s) (4801 to 4803) is (are) not yet fixed. Thus, theprocessing flow returns to step S5603. Then, the job control section4107 executes the similar procedure. When the setting completion button4805 is depressed (i.e., YES in step S5606), the finisher function isenabled (step S5607).

The image forming apparatus 4001 includes an analyzing section and aselecting section. The analyzing section can analyze whether thereceived print job includes any post-processing for the print output.According to the analysis of the analyzing section, the selectingsection can select a post-processing apparatus that can execute thedesignated post-processing based on the information 5102 relating to thenear-line finisher functions registered in the finisher capabilitymanagement table 5100.

Further, the job control section 4107 of the image forming apparatus4001 can function as the above-described analyzing section and theselecting section, and can execute the processing of these sections. Thejob control section 4107, having the capability of functioning as thedisplay control section, can control the operation input section 4108 todisplay a setting screen (e.g., 4801-4803, and 4806 in FIG. 48) thatenables the operator to control the print output to use the selectedpost-processing apparatus, based on the information relating to thecapability registered in the finisher capability management table 5100(e.g., the information 5103 relating to the layout, and the information5104 relating to the spec).

FIG. 57 is a flowchart describing a print processing flow of the imageforming apparatus 4001. First, in step S5701, the job control section4107 determines whether the post-processing using the near-line finisheris designated in the execution of the print. When the post-processingusing the near-line finisher is designated (i.e., YES in step S5701),the processing flow proceeds to step S5702. In step S5702, the jobcontrol section 4107 selects a near-line finisher that can execute thedesignated post-processing from the finisher capability management table5100.

Then, to use the selected post-processing apparatus, the job controlsection 4107 obtains the information for controlling the print output(e.g., the layout information 5103) from the finisher capabilitymanagement table 5100, and displays the obtained information on thedisplay screen (refer to FIG. 48). Then, the processing flow proceeds tostep S5703. With this display, the operator can confirm the contents ofthe settings. On the other hand, when the post-processing using thenear-line finisher is not designated (i.e., NO in step S5701), theprocessing flow proceeds to step S5703 without executing the processingof step S5702.

In step S5703, the job control section 4107 executes the printprocessing according to the layout information 5103 obtained in stepS5702 (when the finisher is not used, the layout information is notreflected to the print processing). For example, when the settings ofthe near-line finisher include the saddle stitching in step S5701, thelayout information “2” is obtained from the finisher capabilitymanagement table 5100. Thus, the job control section 4107 disposes twopages of image on each recording paper sheet, and successively executesthe print processing according to a predetermined page order.

After completing the processing of step S5703, the job control section4107 obtains the control command information 5105 corresponding to thenear-line finisher function(s) from the finisher capability managementtable 5100 and transmits the obtained control command(s) to thenear-line finisher before terminating this routine (refer to stepS5704). For example, when the settings of the near-line finisher includethe saddle stitching, the job control section 4107 transmits“saddleStitch ON” to the near-line finisher, as a control commandcorresponding to the saddle stitching, from the finisher capabilitymanagement table 5100. With the control command(s) being thustransmitted, the image forming apparatus 4001 can perform a remotecontrol of the near-line finisher.

According to the above-described third exemplary embodiment, theprocessing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 54 is executed at the timingthe near-line finisher is connected to the network. However, when thisexemplary embodiment is applied to an off-line finisher, an operatorusing this system can download the finisher profile shown in FIG. 49, atarbitrary timing, from a host computer or other external device, toestablish the finisher connection management table and the finishercapability management table shown in FIGS. 50 and 51.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the image to be processedin the finisher can be preferably formed without requiring the operatorto confirm the capability of the finisher.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to the drawings. Similar to theabove-described first exemplary embodiment, an image forming system ofthe fourth exemplary embodiment includes an information processingapparatus (e.g., client PC), an image forming apparatus, and a near-linefinisher.

[Exemplary GUI of Printer Driver]

The fourth exemplary embodiment discloses exemplary processing forestablishing a GUI of the printer driver operating on the client PCaccording to the profile stored in the profile storing region 504.

In general, finishers attached to an office device are limited in thetype. Therefore, the driver UI is usually designed based on the featuresor spec of the finisher(s) attached to the device. When a finisher isattached to the device, the information of this finisher can be obtainedfrom a printer controller and a UI corresponding to the finisher can bedisplayed.

However, independent finishers (e.g., near-line finishers and off-linefinishers) which are not connected to the image forming apparatus arenot considered in designing the driver UI. Furthermore, finishers mayhave new functions unrecognized at the timing the printer driver iscreated, or finishers may be different in the type. If such finishersare connected to the image forming apparatus, it is impossible torealize an adaptive display of the driver UI.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the profiles of various finishersare obtained and utilized. Furthermore, the information relating to theUI included in the finisher profile can be described according to theformat that the printer driver of the host computer can analyze, so thatthe printer driver can adaptively constitute and display the UI.

For the purpose of simplifying the description, FIG. 59 shows anexemplary flow of finisher profiles among the client PC 1, the imageforming apparatus 21, and the near-line finishers 31 and 32. In FIG. 59,respective finishers have storage devices storing the profiles 5911,5912, and 5913 describing the performance or properties of thefinishers. Furthermore, a driver function DB 5901 stores all kinds offinisher functions that can be added, changed, or deleted. The driverfunction DB is provided as a server, or can be provided in the clientPC. A driver UI rearrange application 5902 installed and operating onthe client PC 1 can rearrange the GUI of the printer driver.

The processing for updating the GUI of the above-described printerdriver will be described below. The controller (i.e., job controlsection 800) of the image forming apparatus 21 detects the finisher 22directly connected to the image forming apparatus and the finishers 31and 32 connected to the network 100, as already described. Thecontroller (i.e., job control section 800) obtains the finisher profiles5911, 5912, and 5913 and stores the obtained profiles in the common DBsection 808.

Next, the client PC 1 communicates with the controller of the imageforming apparatus 21, obtains all of valid profiles, and stores theobtained profiles in the profile storing region 504. The driver UIrearrangement application 5902 of the client PC rearranges the driver UIbased on the profile information stored in the profile storing region504. In this case, when the profile includes the function(s) which arenot present in the driver, the driver UI rearrangement application 5902communicates with the driver function DB 5901 to obtain the information.Details of each processing will be described later.

First, the GUI configuration of the printer driver 505 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment will be described. Similar to the finisherprofile, the information relating to the GUI of the printer driver 505is described for each function according to the tag format.

FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary fundamental driver UIdisplayed when the finisher is not connected. The fundamental driver UIincludes “page setting”, “finishing”, “paper feed”, and “print quality”tabs that are selectively switched when the operator clicks on acorresponding tab. The hierarchy can be constituted based on these tabs.

FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hierarchicalconfiguration of the driver UI based on the contents shown in FIG. 60.The “finishing” screen of FIG. 60 is roughly separated into three itemsof “print method”, “binding direction”, and “sheet discharge method.”FIG. 61 shows a tree structure of the hierarchical configuration basedon the finishing tab. Furthermore, there are images, such as an optionbutton describing a “sort” item and check buttons, such as “shift” and“rotation”, displayed below the “sheet discharge method.”

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 61, the hierarchical configuration can bedescribed according to the hierarchical language, such as XML. Inparticular, small items such as “sort”, “group”, and “rotation” aredirectly related to the update of the driver UI and accordingly areaccompanied by tags relating to the position and the occupied area onthe driver UI. If the function is inherent to the finisher, a tagshowing the finisher relating to this item is accompanied. This will bedescribed later in more detail.

On the other hand, the finisher's profile information includes a“Driver_UI” tag in addition to the above-described profile information.For example, according to the exemplary hierarchical configuration ofthe profile of a bookbinding machine shown in FIG. 62, the Driver_UI tagis added to the “Booklet”, “Medium”, and “StapleSpaceInternal” tagswhich are inherently included in the profile of the bookbinding machine.

The bookbinding machine includes a “staple” function, and accordinglythe “sheet discharge method” in the “finishing” tab should be reflectedin the driver UI. The “finishing” and “sheet discharge method” tags aredescribed in the profile. Furthermore, in adding the stapling function,a radio button of “staple”, a staple image, and a command buttondesignating the stapling position are added on the driver UI screen.Thus, the hierarchical configuration shown in FIG. 62 can be obtained.

The radio button, the image, and the command button represent thefunctions inherent to the finisher, and accordingly the informationdiscriminating the finisher is added to the information relating to theposition and the size. Furthermore, when the operator clicks on acommand button “stapling position designation”, another UI (i.e.,another window) opens to enable the operator to execute detailedsettings. In such a case, the information relating to the related UI isdescribed after the information of “stapling position designation.”

FIG. 63 shows an exemplary configuration of the profile of a bookbindingmachine, describing the information relating to another UI. According tothe example of FIG. 63, a radio button for selecting either “upper left”or “lower left” is used to designate the stapling position. Accordingly,as shown in FIG. 63, the profile describes a tag showing an individualUI, an item of “stapling position designation”, type of radio buttonssuch as “upper left” and “lower left”, position and size of each radiobutton, and information showing a related finisher function.

As described above, the driver UI can be updated based on thefundamental driver UI having a hierarchical configuration and thefinisher profile describing the information relating to the driver UI.FIG. 64 is a flowchart describing an exemplary driver UI updatingprocessing procedure of the driver UI rearrangement application 5902 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. The driver UI rearrangementapplication 5902 can be executed in response to activation of theprinter driver, or when the printer is changed by the operator on theGUI shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 64, first, the printer driver 505 of the client PC 1receives the profile information including the finisher profile and thedevice profile from the controller of the image forming apparatus 21,and stores the received profile information in the profile storingregion 504 (refer to step S6401). Next, the printer driver 505 of theclient PC 1 confirms the description relating to the UI included in thestored profile information (refer to step S6402), and determines whetherthere is the description relating to the UI (refer to step S6403). Morespecifically, in the example of the profile shown in FIG. 62, it isdetermined whether there is the “Driver_UI.”

When there is no description relating to the driver UI (i.e., NO in stepS6403), the driver UI needs not be updated and accordingly the printerdriver 505 terminates this routine. On the other hand, when there is thedescription relating to the UI in the profile (i.e., YES in Step S6403),the printer driver 505 determines whether any new function unrecognizedby the driver UI rearrangement application is added (refer to stepS6404). More specifically, when there is a tag other than the “pagesetting”, “finishing”, “paper feed”, and “print quality” tags shown inFIG. 61, the printer driver 505 decides that an unrecognized function isadded. When there is an unrecognized function is added, the printerdriver 505 notifies the driver function DB 5901 of the presence of thistag (refer to step S6407).

The driver function DB 5901 determines whether there is any supportedfunction (refer to step S6408). When there is a supported function(i.e., YES in step S6408), the printer driver 505 obtains theinformation of the driver function DB 5901 and executes driver UIupdating processing (refer to step S6409). When there is no supportedfunction (i.e., NO in step S6408), the printer driver 505 terminatesthis routine without updating the driver UI.

The above-described processing of steps S6407 and S6408 is required torespond to a new finisher unrecognized by the driver UI rearrangementapplication. Therefore, if there is a new finisher introduced in themarket later than the image forming apparatus 21 and its printer driver,the function(s) of the new finisher can be created as a profilecompatible with the UI of the exemplary embodiment and the createdprofile can be registered in the driver function DB 5901. In thisrespect, it is desirable to provide the driver function DB 5901 in a FTPserver accessible via the Internet.

Furthermore, when no unrecognized function is added (i.e., NO in stepS6404), the processing flow proceeds to step S6405. In step S6405, theprinter driver 505 determines whether there is any space available for anew UI on the GUI corresponding to this tag. When there is no availablespace (i.e., YES in step S6405), the processing flow proceeds to stepS6406 to execute space creation processing and then proceeds to stepS6409 to execute the driver UI updating processing. When there in anavailable space (i.e., YES in step S6405), the processing flow proceedsto the S6409 to update the driver UI. Details of each processing will bedescribed later.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart describing exemplary driver UI updatingprocessing, performed when there is a space available for a new UIwithout addition of unexpected function(s). In FIG. 65, a finisherprofile 651 is stored in the profile storing region 504. Furthermore, adriver UI architectural information 652, a driver UI screen information653, and a driver UI template 654 are stored beforehand in the hard disk7604 (refer to FIG. 76). FIG. 62 shows the format of the finisherprofile 651. FIG. 61 shows the format of the driver UI architecturalinformation 652.

Still referring to FIG. 65, first, in step S6501, a tag beneath the“Driver_UI” in the finisher profile 651 and an uppermost layer of thedriver UI architectural information 652 are checked. Then, thecorresponding tags are obtained from the driver UI architecturalinformation. Next, in step S6502, the finisher profile 651 and the lowerlayer of the driver UI architectural information are checked. In stepS6503, it is it is determined whether there is a corresponding item(i.e., same item). If there in the same item (i.e., YES in step S6503),the processing flow returns to step S6502 to further check the lowerlayer. When there is no corresponding item (i.e., NO in step S6503), theitem(s) of the finisher profile and the item(s) of the lower layer areadded to the driver UI architectural information 652 in the followingmanner.

The screen information of the driver UI is stored as the driver UIscreen information 653 in the DB. The margin on the present UI can beconfirmed based on the information stored in the DB. Thus, in stepS6504, the present margin is confirmed from the driver UI screeninformation 653. On the other hand, an area necessary for anincorporated item is calculated based on the information of the finisherprofile 651 (refer to step S6505). Then, based on the calculationresult, the new item is incorporated into the margin (refer to stepS6506). Then, it is determined whether a new UI is required byconfirming whether any information relating to another UI is present inthe profile (refer to step S6507). 144

If a new UI is required (i.e., YES in step S6507), the information ofthe lower layer is combined with the driver UI template 654 to executethe UI addition processing (refer to step S6508). In this case, thedriver UI template 654 is a driver UI screen that includes thedefinition of a screen size or the like and includes no functions. Whenno new UI is required (i.e., NO in step S6507), the processing flowproceeds to step S6509 to update the driver UI screen information 653and the driver UI architectural information 652.

An example will be described with reference to the driver UI shown inFIG. 60 which is displayed when no finisher is connected. It is nowassumed that a finisher having the profile shown in FIG. 62 newlyestablishes a communication with the image forming apparatus 21, and theprinter driver obtains the finisher profile from the image formingapparatus 21.

The driver UI rearrangement application 5902 of the client PC 11 (andthe client PC 22) successively retrieves the tags included in theprofile from the beginning. First, the driver UI rearrangementapplication 5902 confirms that the “Driver_UI” tag is included in theprofile. Then, the driver UI rearrangement application 5902 continuouslyretrieves to find the “finishing” tag and determines whether the“finishing” tag is present in the upper layer (i.e., the descriptioncorresponding to the “page setting” tab or the like on the UI) of thehierarchical configuration of the driver UI shown in FIG. 61.

Subsequently, lower layers are checked similarly. Regarding the “sheetdischarge method” positioned in a lower layer of the “finishing” in theprofile, the layer of FIG. 61 positioned immediately below the“finishing” is checked. After the presence of “sheet discharge method”is confirmed, the next layer is checked. Then, if a non-existing tagappears (e.g., “staple” in a lower layer of the “radio button” accordingto the example of FIG. 62), the “staple” and its lower layer'sinformation are added to FIG. 61. Similarly, information is added tolower layers of the “image” and “command button” tags. Then, the presentmargin is calculated based on the driver UI screen information.

The area required for the incorporated items, such as “option button”,“image”, and “command button”, is calculated to execute incorporation ofthese items. The command button includes the information relating toanother UI, and accordingly the UI screen of “stapling positiondesignation” is added based on this information. Finally, the driver UIinformation (e.g., the driver UI screen information and the driver UIarchitectural information) is updated in accordance with the updateddriver UI, before terminating the processing.

FIG. 66 shows an exemplary architectural configuration of the driver UIreflecting the above-described addition processing. FIG. 67 shows adriver UI displayed based on the architectural information of the driverUI shown in FIG. 66. As shown in FIG. 67, the information relating tothe stapling is added to the initial condition of the driver UI shown inFIG. 60. Furthermore, a “stapling position designation” button isdisplayed in a gray-out mode when the “sort” is selected, because theattribute information of the “finisher” is attached. Furthermore, whenthe staple is in an ON state, the “stapling position designation” buttonis enabled. When the operator clicks on this button, a new UI shown inFIG. 68 can be displayed. As shown in the drawing, the new UI includestwo radio buttons, i.e., an upper left radio button and a lower leftradio button, which are added based on the profile information.

The space creation processing (refer to step S6406 of FIG. 64) will bedescribed below. This processing is performed when the fundamental UIhas no space for incorporating a new UI. When there is no spaceavailable for the new UI, an appropriate space must be added. However,the driver UI having a fixed screen size cannot easily expand the space.Furthermore, even if the driver UI has an expandable area, a settingoperation exceeding the maximum screen size of the client PC will not beaccepted. Therefore, the exemplary embodiment secures the required spaceby adding a new tab.

FIG. 69 shows a practical example. According to the example, thefinisher functions shown in the profile of FIG. 62 are added to thedriver UI of FIG. 60. Furthermore, a near-line finisher is connected tothe network. When used in the driver UI, the UI relating to the stapleis added to the sheet discharge method. It is now assumed that an addedbutton is large and is not accommodated in the space of the present UI.Hence, to secure a space for accommodating the functions relating to theadded staple, the example of FIG. 69 includes a new “finishing 2” tab towhich the sheet discharge method is entirely shifted. Furthermore, thehierarchical configuration changes so as to include two types offinishing items as shown in FIG. 70. The “finishing” and “finishing 2”items are disposed under the “finishing” of the uppermost layer.

When a next finisher is added with increased functions, the processingof step S6501 or the like can be changed so as to check not only theuppermost layer but also the “finishing” and “finishing 2” items of thelower layer. However, the space addition processing is not limited tothe above-described one. Any other format can be used.

Next, the processing performed when a non-recognized function is addedwill be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 64 and 65.When a non-recognized function is added, the driver UI rearrangementapplication 5902 asks the driver function DB about this function. Ifthere is a supported function, a new tab is added.

As an example, it is now assumed that a finisher having the finisherprofile of FIG. 71 is connected to the driver UI of FIG. 59. In thiscase, the “bookbinding details setting” (i.e., a lower layer of“Driver_UI” in the finisher profile) is not included in the upper layershowing tab information of the driver architectural configuration. Thedriver UI rearrangement application asks the driver function DB 5901about the presence of “bookbinding details setting.”

When there is the information relating to the “bookbinding detailssetting” in the driver function DB 5901, a new “bookbinding detailssetting” tab is added based on this information. As a result, the driverUI architectural configuration shown in FIG. 72 can be obtained, and theresultant UI can be displayed as shown in FIG. 73. As shown in FIG. 72,the driver UI architectural configuration includes a “bookbindingdetails setting” item newly added. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 73, thedriver UI includes a “bookbinding details setting” tab newly added.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the post-processing to beexecuted in a near-line finisher (e.g., the casing-in bookbinding) maybe designated as the post-processing applied to the printed products. Insuch a case, a print job including the contents of the post-processingto be executed in the near-line finisher and job control informationdescribing a near-line finisher ID can be transmitted to the imageforming apparatus. More specifically, when the received print jobincludes the post-processing to be performed in a near-line finisher,the image forming apparatus transmit the contents of the post-processingto the near-line finisher identified by the near-line finisher ID.

First, the client PC obtains the IP address of the near-line finisher byperforming the processing similar to that of the image forming apparatusdescribed in the exemplary embodiment. This processing can beconstituted as a module of the printer driver, or can be constituted asan independent program. Then, the printer driver produces a “job ticket”describing post-processing contents and a job ID (i.e., identifier) anddirectly transmits the produced job ticket to the near-line finisher. Inthis case, a print job transmitted to the image forming apparatus needsnot include the contents of post-processing relating to the near-linefinisher or the job control information of this near-line finisher.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

In a fifth exemplary embodiment, there are plural finishers havingfunctions overlapped with each other. For example, when there are pluralfinishers each having a “stapling” function, the finishers may bedifferentiated in detailed functions, e.g., in the number of stapledpaper sheets or in the stapling position.

FIG. 74 is a flowchart describing an exemplary processing procedure ofthe driver UI rearrangement application 5902, performed when pluralfinishers have functions overlapped with each other. The processing ofsteps S7401 through S7409 of FIG. 74 are similar with the processing ofsteps S6401 through S6408 of FIG. 64 and therefore will not bedescribed.

The processing of step S7410 is executed when no unrecognized functionis added (i.e., NO in step S7404). In step S7410, it is determinedwhether there is any similarity (i.e., overlap) of the functions. Inthis case, the similarity (i.e., overlap) of the functions is recognizedif newly added functions of a finisher are already incorporated as thefunctions of another finisher. When there is no similarity (i.e.,overlap) of the functions (i.e., NO in step S7410), the processing flowproceeds to step S7405 to determine whether there is any space availablefor the new UI.

When the similarity (i.e., overlap) of the functions is recognized(i.e., YES in step S7410), the processing flow proceeds to step S7411 toexecute function comparison processing and then proceeds to step S7409to execute the driver UI updating processing. For example, thesimilarity (i.e., overlap) of the functions will be recognized if a newstapler (i.e., a finisher having a stapling function) is newly connectedin the condition that a “stapling” function is already incorporated.

Regarding the function comparison processing executed in step S7409,there are two practical methods. One method is selecting a finisherhaving highest performance among plural finishers. The other method iscomparing plural finisher functions and displaying them according to thecomparison. As an example, it is now assumed that two finishers cancommunicate with the image forming apparatus having the driver UI ofFIG. 60.

For example, according to the former method, the capabilities offinishers can be compared based on their profiles because the profilesinclude the information relating to the performance, such as a maximumcopy number. Therefore, it is possible to select a finisher havinghigher performance. In this case, the information identifying theselected finisher needs not be specified, because the operator canperform the settings without considering the performance or propertiesof the selected finisher. As described above, the operators having nospecialized knowledge about the finishers will be confused if they areasked to determine an apparatus necessary to obtain the final printedproducts they want. Therefore, only the functions are intentionallydisplayed to avoid any confusion.

On the other hand, according to the latter method, it is necessary tospecify each of the plural finishers and explicitly display theirfunctions in the form of a list describing the finisher name and relatedfunctions. FIG. 75 shows one example of the list. According to theexample of FIG. 75, one finisher A has a stapling function performableat two positions (i.e., upper left and lower left) while anotherfinisher B has a stapling function performable at three positions (i.e.,upper left, lower left, and center). The operator can compare thefinisher functions to select an optimum finisher.

It is further noted that comparison of similar (overlapped) functionsand the related processing are not limited to the above-described ones.Also, as described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment,the UI architectural information of the printer driver used on theclient PC is described according to the general-purpose descriptionlanguage, such as XML format. Meanwhile, the profile showing finisherfunctions is described in a similar fashion so as to be conformable tothe UI architectural information of the printer driver. As a result, auser can obtain the profile of an intended finisher and a GUI of theprinter driver can be constituted appropriately in compliance with theenvironment in which the printer driver is used.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

According to the present invention, the software program(s) realizingthe above-described functions of the present exemplary embodiments canbe supplied, by using a recording medium, to a system or an apparatus.The system or the apparatus (e.g., CPU or MPU) can read the suppliedprogram codes from the recording medium and can execute the program(s)to realize the functions of the present exemplary embodiments.

In this case, the program codes read out of the recording medium canrealize the functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments. Therecording medium storing the program codes can constitute the presentinvention. Furthermore, realizing the functions of the above-describedexemplary embodiments is not limited to executing the program codes readby the computer. The operating system (OS) running on the computer canexecute part of all of the actual processing based on an instruction ofthe program codes, to realize the functions of the above-describedexemplary embodiments.

Furthermore, the program read out of a recording medium can be writteninto a memory of a feature expansion board equipped in a computer orinto a memory of a feature expansion unit connected to the computer. Inthis case, based on an instruction of the program, the CPU provided onthe feature expansion board or the feature expansion unit can executepart or all of the processing so that the functions of theabove-described exemplary embodiments can be realized.

As understood from the above-described exemplary embodiments, thepresent invention can be embodied as a system, an apparatus, a method, aprogram, or a recording medium. More specifically, the present inventioncan be applied to an integrated system including plural devices or canbe applied to a single device.

Furthermore, software programs realizing the functions of theabove-described exemplary embodiments (i.e., the programs correspondingto the flowcharts shown in the drawing of the exemplary embodiments) canbe directly or remotely supplied to the system or to the apparatus, sothat a computer of the system or the apparatus can read and executesupplied program codes to realize the present invention. Therefore, thepresent invention encompasses the computer codes installed in a computerthat can realize the functions or processes of the present invention orany recording medium that can store the program(s). In this case, thetype of program(s) can be selected from any one of object codes,interpreter programs, and OS script data.

A recording medium supplying the program(s) can be selected from any oneof floppy disk (registered trademark), hard disk, optical disk,magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape,nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

The method for supplying the program(s) includes accessing a home pageon the Internet using the browsing function of a host computer, when thehome page allows each user to download the computer programs of thepresent invention, or compressed files of the programs having automaticinstalling functions, to a hard disk or other recording medium of theuser. Furthermore, the program codes constituting the programs of thepresent invention can be divided into a plurality of files so thatrespective files are downloadable from different home pages. Namely, thepresent invention encompasses WWW servers that allow numerous users todownload the program files so that the functions or processes of thepresent invention can be realized on their computers.

Furthermore, enciphering the programs of the present invention andstoring the enciphered programs in a CD-ROM or comparable recordingmedium is a practical method when the programs of the present inventionare distributed to the users. The authorized users (i.e., userssatisfying predetermined conditions) are allowed to download keyinformation from a home page on the Internet. The users can decipher theprograms with the obtained key information and can install the programson their computers.

When the computer reads and executes the installed programs, thefunctions of the above-described exemplary embodiments can be realized.Furthermore, based on an instruction of the program, the operatingsystem running on the computer may execute part or all of the processingso that the functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments canbe realized.

Furthermore, the program read out of a recording medium can be writteninto a memory of a feature expansion board equipped in a computer orinto a memory of a feature expansion unit connected to the computer. Inthis case, based on an instruction of the program, the CPU provided onthe feature expansion board or the feature expansion unit can executepart or all of the processing so that the functions of theabove-described exemplary embodiments can be realized.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiments, an operator (oruser) can easily perform the settings of a finisher without knowing orconfirming the connection state and the restricted functions of thefinisher. The images processed in a finisher can be preferably formedeven if an operator does not know or confirm the finisher's capability.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiments, theconfiguration language describing the fundamental display informationrequired to constitute fundamental print setting display screens can becommonly used to describe the function information of a printpost-processing apparatus. Thus, a print setting screen for settingprinting and bookbinding conditions can be easily displayed by combiningthem.

Therefore, the user can execute seamless settings relating to theprinting and bookbinding conditions. In particular, the above-describedexemplary embodiments enable the printer driver of a printing apparatusto control a print post-processing apparatus that is connected to thenetwork but was conventionally difficult to automatically control itsprinted products.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2005-128617 filed Apr. 26, 2005 and Japanese Patent Application No.2005-128620 filed Apr. 26, 2005, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

1. An information processing apparatus configured to be in communicationover a network with an image forming apparatus and to set print settinginformation for a print processing performed by the image formingapparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising: a selectingunit configured to select, as a post-processing apparatus to performpost-processing for a printing product, one of a first post-processingapparatus that is not connected with a paper conveyance path of theimage forming apparatus and is configured to be in communication withother apparatuses and a second post-processing apparatus that isconnected with the paper conveyance path of the image forming apparatusand is configured to be in communication with other apparatuses; adisplay control unit configured to display a setting screen to setsetting information on the post-processing to be performed for theprinting product; a receiving unit configured to receive printinstruction from a user; and a switching unit configured to switchtransmitting processing by a type of the post-processing apparatus,wherein, in response to the first post-processing apparatus beingselected by the selecting unit, the switching unit performs distributedtransmitting processing for the image forming apparatus and the firstpost-processing apparatus in response to the print instruction suchthat, out of (i) print data generated based on the print settinginformation and (ii) post-processing data generated based on (a) thesetting information set via the setting screen and (b) identificationinformation of the print data, (i) the print data is transmitted overthe network to the image forming apparatus and (ii) the post-processingdata is transmitted over the network to the first post-processingapparatus, and wherein, in response to the second post-processingapparatus being selected by the selecting unit, the switching unitperforms transmitting processing for the image forming apparatus inresponse to the print instruction such that both (i) the print data and(ii) the post-processing data are transmitted over the network to theimage forming apparatus, wherein the first post-processing apparatusreads the post-processing data transmitted with the identificationinformation in response to the identification information being input inthe first post-processing apparatus.
 2. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unitdisplays a setting range of binding width of the post-processingapparatus.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the display control unit controls a display unit to display aselection screen enabling an operator to select one of a plurality ofpost-processing apparatuses connected via a network.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processingdata includes only instructions on post-processing processed by thepost-processing apparatus.
 5. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a determining unit configuredto determine, based on a response received from the image formingapparatus, whether a post-processing apparatus profile of a newpost-processing apparatus is of a post-processing apparatus that is notconnected with a paper conveyance path of the image forming apparatus,wherein, in response to the determining unit determining, based on aresponse received from the image forming apparatus, that thepost-processing apparatus profile of the new post-processing apparatusis of a post-processing apparatus that is not connected with a paperconveyance path of the image forming apparatus, a type of the newpost-processing apparatus is assigned to be the first post-processingapparatus.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a determining unit configured to determine whether anew post-processing apparatus to perform post-processing for a printingproduct is in a connected state or a disconnected state, wherein, in theconnected state, the post-processing apparatus can communicate withother apparatuses and, in the disconnected state, the post-processingapparatus cannot communicate with other apparatuses, wherein, inresponse to the determining unit determining that the newpost-processing apparatus is in a disconnected state and the selectingunit selecting the new post-processing apparatus to performpost-processing for a printing product, contents of job controlinformation are converted into a format that an operator can read andinput into the new post-processing apparatus and a print job includingthe converted job control information is transmitted to the imageforming apparatus.
 7. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein in response to the first post-processing apparatusbeing selected by the selecting unit, a transmission destination addressfor the first post-processing apparatus is an IP address stored inrelation to a post-processing apparatus profile of the firstpost-processing apparatus, wherein the IP address is configured to beutilized by the image processing apparatus to determine the type of thepost-processing apparatus selected by the selecting unit.
 8. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an acquiring unit configured to acquire, from the imageforming apparatus, a property information file that specifiesrestricting information that restricts functions a new post-processingapparatus that is connected with the image forming apparatus as a firstpost-processing apparatus; a printer driver containing default settinginformation of another post-processing apparatus as default conditions,and wherein the new post-processing apparatus is connected with theimage forming apparatus after the default setting information iscontained within the printer driver; a determining unit configured todetermine whether the restricting information of the new post-processingapparatus agrees with the default setting information of the printerdriver, wherein, in response to the determining unit determining thatthe restricting information of the new post-processing apparatus agreeswith the default setting information of the printer driver, then thedisplay control unit controls to display a setting screen to set settinginformation on the post-processing to be performed for the printingproduct based on the default setting information of the printer driver,and wherein, in response to the determining unit determining that therestricting information of the new post-processing apparatus disagreeswith the default setting information of the printer driver, then thedisplay control unit controls to display a setting screen to set settinginformation on the post-processing to be performed for the printingproduct based on the restricting information of the new post-processingapparatus received by the acquiring unit.
 9. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selecting unit automaticallyselects the post-processing apparatus to perform post-processing for aprinting product based on a predetermined priority, wherein thepredetermined priority is at least one of processing capability, workregion, and frequency of use.
 10. An information processing method foran information processing apparatus for communicating over a networkwith an image forming apparatus and for setting print settinginformation for a print processing performed by the image formingapparatus, the information processing method comprising: selecting, viaa selecting unit in the information processing apparatus and as apost-processing apparatus to perform post-processing for a printingproduct, one of a first post-processing apparatus that is not connectedwith a paper conveyance path of the image forming apparatus and isconfigured to be in communication with other apparatuses and a secondpost-processing apparatus that is connected with the paper conveyancepath of the image forming apparatus and is configured to be incommunication with other apparatuses; displaying, via a display controlunit in the information processing apparatus, a setting screen to setsetting information on the post-processing to be performed for theprinting product; receiving print instruction from a user; and switchingtransmitting processing by a type of the post-processing apparatus,wherein, in response to the first post-processing apparatus beingselected by the selecting unit, switching includes performingdistributed transmitting processing for the image forming apparatus andthe first post-processing apparatus in response to the print instructionsuch that, out of (i) print data generated based on the print settinginformation and (ii) post-processing data generated based on (a) thesetting information set via the setting screen and (b) identificationinformation of the print data, (i) the print data is transmitted overthe network to the image forming apparatus and (ii) the post-processingdata is transmitted over the network to the first post-processingapparatus, and wherein, in response to the second post-processingapparatus being selected by the selecting unit, switching includesperforming transmitting processing for the image forming apparatus inresponse to the print instruction such that both (i) the print data and(ii) the post-processing data are transmitted over the network to theimage forming apparatus, wherein the first post-processing apparatusreads the post-processing data transmitted with the identificationinformation in response to the identification information being input inthe first post-processing apparatus.
 11. A non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing a program that causes an informationprocessing apparatus to perform the method according to claim
 10. 12.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim11, wherein the display control unit displays a setting range of bindingwidth of the post-processing apparatus.
 13. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 11, further includingcomputer-executable instructions that display a selection screenenabling an operator to select one of a plurality of post-processingapparatuses connected via a network.
 14. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein thepost-processing data includes only instructions on post-processingprocessed by the post-processing apparatus.
 15. The informationprocessing method according to claim 10, wherein the display controlunit displays a setting range of binding width of the post-processingapparatus.
 16. The information processing method according to claim 10,further including displaying a selection screen enabling an operator toselect one of a plurality of post-processing apparatuses connected via anetwork.
 17. The information processing method according to claim 10,wherein the post-processing data includes only instructions onpost-processing processed by the post-processing apparatus.